My usual style with optical lenses is to adhere an image to the back, showing through the front of the lens, and to hang dangles from the bottom and/or adhere bits and bobs to the front.   A little while ago though, a lovely woman named Teresa, who bought some optical lenses from me, showed me a link to another really fun way to decorate and wear these little treasures.

Optical lens with image
The DIY network has a video showing you how to use glass paints to create swirled baubles that resemble stained glass.  I’m not crazy about the recommendation to bend …read more

Technique Tuesday!
This is a project that I filmed for HGTV a couple of years ago. It was filmed in the heat of an early summer day, and didn’t air until mid-December. It was a trip, I’ll tell you that!

Materials:
vintage optical test lens (to purchase lenses)
photo to use on pendant (original will not be harmed)
clear fixative spray (Krylon Clear Acrylic Spray)
drop loop
head pin
assorted beads
Golden’s Polymer Medium or Diamond Glaze
bail or jump ring
Tools:
photo-editing software on computer (colored photocopies can be substituted)
printer
1-1/2 inch hole punch
paintbrush
pliers: chain nose and round wire cutters
Step by step instructions

Make Art Monday!
After years of making these optical lens pendants, I have decided to call it quits.  I actually took what I thought was going to be a brief break from making them at the end of 2008.  They are the only “production pieces” that I’ve ever made (I think), and somehow I just couldn’t ever seem to bring myself to resume when the break was supposed to be over!

I’m perfectly happy to share with you how they’re made, however, and tomorrow for Technique Tuesday, I’ll do just that!