Like acrylic resin, this thick glaze dries clear and hard to give surfaces a magnified, under-glass look. Unlike with acrylic resin, there are no complicated steps or scary fumes involved. Use Dimensional Magic to preserve artwork or photos or, as we show here, to turn containers, belt buckles, and handmade rings into durable objets d'art.
Materials
FOR RING:
- Coin
- Patterned paper
- Scissors
- Waxed paper
- Mod Podge
- Strong glue, such as Crafter's Pick The Ultimate! (see tips below)
- Dimensional Magic
- Toothpick (optional)
- Ring blank (available in craft stores)
FOR BELT BUCKLE:
- Belt buckle blank (widely available online for less than $10; we bought ours at surlymermaid.etsy.com.)
FOR DECORATED TIN:
- Tin lid
- Seed beads
Instructions
1. To make a ring: Trace a coin onto a piece of patterned paper and cut out the shape. Working on a sheet of waxed paper, brush a coat of regular Mod Podge over the front and back of the cutout and let it dry. Use a strong glue, such as Crafter's Pick The Ultimate! (see our tips below), to adhere the cutout to the coin.
Working on a covered surface, place the coin on a raised base (we used a chunk of clay), taking care to keep the surface of the coin level. Squeeze Dimensional Magic over the paper in a thin, even layer, creating a slight dome. Use your finger or a toothpick to pop any air bubbles, then let the glaze dry in place (about 24 hours).
Use Crafter's Pick The Ultimate! to glue the coin to a ring blank (available in craft stores). Let the glue dry overnight.
2. To make a belt buckle: Follow the directions for the ring but use a belt buckle blank instead of a coin. If your buckle has a lip, or bezel, you don't need to place it on a raised base, but you do need to keep it level. (Note: Belt buckle blanks are widely available online for less than $10. We bought the two shown here at surlymermaid.etsy.com.)
3. To make a decorated tin: Follow the directions for the ring but use a tin lid instead of a coin. Use regular Mod Podge to glue on seed bead details, then let the glue dry. Place the lid flat on a raised base, such as a plastic cup. Squeeze Dimensional Magic onto the lid, starting around the edges and spiraling inward. Fill in any gaps. Let the glaze dry in place (about 24 hours).
Tips:
The best glues for families are both reliable and nontoxic. Here are a few of FamilyFun craft tester Nicole Blum's favorites:
Crafter's Pick The Ultimate! Great for jobs that need the stickiest stuff, such as those involving metal or glass, this glue can also be used as a contact cement to create a permanent bond between almost any two surfaces.
Glue Dots Superstrong glue globs you peel from a roll. They work instantly (no drying time), come in varying thicknesses, and create a lasting hold.
Kids Choice This thick adhesive is particularly suited to projects involving felt.
Crafts
