Stephanie Macera

I am always looking for ways to re-purpose and feature my art.  Charms have long been a favorite.  There are many types and ways to protect your art in a charm.  I love the look of resin, but not the expense or the mess.  So I tried a product I saw last month that looked promising.  Plaid Mod Podge Dimensional Magic.  My intention was to use only this brand, but I was not thrilled with the Podgeable Metal Blanks once I opened the package.  They felt too light, were very shallow and the pack that I purchase actually had 2 damaged pieces (bent in shipping?).  In addition, my art was shaped in a square and to make it easy on resizing, I wanted a square bezel of 1 inch by 1 inch.  I found the bezel by a different brand (Lisa Palvelka) and liked the depth and weight of it much more than the Mod Podge.  Perhaps in the future I will have a project that will call for the size and weight of the Mod Podgeable Metal Blanks and I can try again.

Shopping List:

• Bezel size of your choice, mine was 1 inch by 1 inch.  Lisa Palvelka
• Mod Podge Gloss-Lustre-Lustre  I used a small bottle
• Mod Podge Dimensional Magic
• Original art sized to bezel measurement.  My art was printed on an HP InkJet printer onto glossy photopaper.
• Wax paper
• Clean paint brush(es)
• Container(s) for Mod Podge
• Water and soap to clean brush
• Needle or pin to pop bubbles, if they occur
• Flat dry surface
• Cover (box, cloche, etc. to protect your work as it dries)
• 24 Plus hours dry time (depending on your bezel depth)  Mine took 5 days to cure- it was a deep bezel!!
• Chain to finish your jewelry piece with.

If you have one of their coupons, this trio of products is at(or under) $25.00 at Michael’s, using a 40% off on the most expensive item.

Use the dimensions (printed on the back) to create your media to the correct size for your bezel.  I had very specific measurement of 1 inch by 1 inch – and used another brand (Lisa Pilvelka) for this project.Regardless of your bezel choice, the directions are essentially the same.  Begin by cutting your images out one at a time.

You will need Mod Podge Gloss-Lustre-Lustre, wax paper, a clean, dry paint brush and a disposable container (I used a coffee filter) for Mod Podge.

Coat your photo on both sides with 3 coats of Mod Podge.  Let dry thoroughly between coats.  Replace wax paper between coats!  Use a clean, dry brush for each step.  Any residue in your brush will bleed onto your art/paper.

Make sure to go past the edge of your image and seal.  A little border of Mod Podge to trim off is what you are after.  Unsealed images will allow (resin or) Mod Podge Magic seep in any unsealed areas.  Sealing the paper completely is vital.

Fit your image to your bezel.  I used E-6000 to glue my image to the bezel.  The paper wanted to curl and I did not feel it would glue flat to my bezel without a strong glue.  I used my fingertips to get any residue from the E-6000 off my image and off of the sides of my bezel.  Allow your glue to dry thoroughly.  Mine set overnight.

After allowing glue to dry and images to set flat in back of my bezel, I opened and poured my Mod Podge Dimensional Magic according to the directions.  I had one instance of a bubble that was really difficult to chase down and pop, but overall, the product poured nicely and there were no issues.  To pop the bubble, I used a needle.  I worked it into a corner and kept at it.  This product has a pointed nozzle in a fine point, so you can get into corners.  I liked it.  I comparison to using resin, this was so easy, no odor and I felt no real panic about timing, mixing, over-pour or waste.

Because I chose to use products that were not designed to be used together, there is always a trial and error.  I was so afraid that after I poured this and had worked so hard that the Dimensional Magic would not dry.  It took days.  The bezel with my image below was cloudy and milky for what seemed like FOREVER!!   But, it did cure.  Clear, no bubbles and smooth.  I am happy.  I will use it again.  I like that I don’t have to mix or time the pour and have a clear, clean, smooth image after for a significantly lower price point.

If you have considered trying resin, but have reservations, this is a good product that will give you a similar look and more flexibility.  Time will be the test as to yellowing, scratching, etc.  But for my purposes – a mobile, changing, wearable, versatile and tiny “art show” –  this was what I was after.

Before 2″x 2″ acrylic art on canvas, and after 1″ by 1″ print, with altered background, charm under Mod Podge Dimensional Magic.