Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Image transfers

A couple of days ago, I showed you some chandelier crystals with images. Some of you have asked how I went about it and I am happy to share my experiments.

Technically, these are probably not really transfers. I do not have access to all the wonderful supplies that are available on the US market, so I have to experiment in my alchemist laboratory.... The transfer fluid I was able to locate did not yield the anticipated results, probably because I have an inkjet printer. The colour went off with the paper, leaving me a rather yellowish shadow of a transfer. Not quite what I was envisioning. We don't have a copy shop any where near here either, so I can't run out and photocopy my images.

What I have done is print on tissue paper. To do this, I cut out a piece that is smaller than the paper for my printer and tape it on the sheet, which I return to the paper tray of the printer. This is because the tissue paper is too thin for my printer to transport. You will have to experiment to see if this functions with your printer. So - I print the image on the tissue paper, cut it out somewhat larger than the crystal it will be adhered to (at least half an inch all around). I then spread a coating of Diamond Glaze on the rear side of the crystal and then quickly lay the image on the glaze. Smooth it all down with a brush, so that it adheres everywhere and no air bubbles are trapped. This can be a bit tricky with very dimensional crystals, because the tissue will tear easily. There will be some folds in the tissue paper, due to the shape of the crystal (unless you have one with a flat back) - try to get the folds where the facets meet. They are less conspicuous there. Let dry. Now you can cut the excess paper closely around the crystal and put on another coat of glaze and let dry.

This was done with a colour intense image.

A view of the rear side - you can see just how transparent the tissue paper gets.

The image I used here was very light - making the image almost invisible on the crystal.

rear view
So I used some buff acrylic paint, just a little and spread it over the rear of the image with my wet finger until I had a semi-transparent look, which made the image more visible.

I hope this was helpful!

19 comments:

TesoriTrovati said...

Wow! That is downright COOL! I love how necessity lead to your invention. Very clever indeed! I would love to play in the studio with you...if it weren't for all these miles and oceans and such! Enjoy the day! Erin

sharon said...

I had very similar results when I did these, but I did not use tissue paper. Some worked better than others. Thanks for sharing your technique Renate!!

Barbara said...

Wow, those are beautiful!I love those crystals!

Anonymous said...

i love these too! i'll have to try this sometime.

Judy said...

Renate, what a great project! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

mermaiden said...

those look fabulous!

clever, clever you!

Stephanie said...

Oooo, those are very beautiful and misty soft!

lilylovekin said...

I love the transfers on the crystals, but it certainly sounds like a lot of work. Thanks for explaining how to do it.

Sharon said...

Just lovely and so ethereal, thanks for the tips!

Unknown said...

the image transfers are lovely...thanks for sharing your technique

Silke Powers said...

Excellent, Renate!!! This was such a cool tutorial - I never thought of printing on tissue paper. You are so very creative!! And I'm so happy you share your technique with us! I got some images from one of the Etsy shops you had recommended and can't wait to play with them... Vielen Dank!! Hugs, Silke

Leslie @ Bei Mondi said...

Thanks so much for sharing the process, Renate! Your crystals are so charming and hold a bit of mysteriousness to them.

Cindy said...

Renate, your images and crystals turned out soooo perfect. I made a few using Deryn's tutorial in Belle Armoire jewelry recently but I'm not sure they turned out the best. Will make something with them soon, I hope. Thank you for sharing all of these tips!! :-)

Esther said...

thank you for this "how to" renate!! beautiful results!!

Sherry said...

I always believe that where there is a will, there is a way -- if specific products for techniques are not available, being able to think outside the box and of different ways to achieve a similar effect is what it's all about. Thanks for sharing how you did this Renate! Clever you!

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

Infinitely helpful and inspiring! I can't wait to try it! Blessings and thanks for the visits. You are a treasure.

Silver Parrot said...

These are amazingly beautiful! Now I just have to find some chandelier crystals!!

Lynn McGinnis said...

What a very wonderful giving heart you have. I have looked FOREVER on the internet to try and figure out how to create such a gorgeous pendant. And you so generously and detailed shared. I Thank you so so much and I really am grateful. I don't know if I have the ability to actually do something like this I am not to talented but I sure do appreciate you and your sharing heart.
Big Hug to you,
sincerely, Lynn

Carla Trujillo said...

Very cool transfers!
Thanks for sharing the technique!