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| "Christmas Memories" pendant, larger than life size to show detail |
The great thing about green computer
circuit board is that there’s still so much of it sitting around,
out of date and useless, just waiting to be made into something else.
And since it’s already green, why not use it as the base for
Christmas Trees? If you don’t happen to have any old circuit
boards lying around your house, just ask your friends ~ you’ll
probably have boards coming out your ears by the end of the week!
Materials & Tools
Green circuit board
Broken rhinestone and other jewelry, charms
Two-part epoxy
Hang tag with single hole
Jump ring
Sharpie pen
Jig saw or coping saw
File
Heavy-duty wire cutters
Mixing cup and stick for epoxy
Chain nose pliers
1. Cut a classic Christmas tree shaped
triangle from the circuit board. You can create a paper pattern,
draw the shape on the circuit board or just cut freehand. I like to
gently round the bottom edge of my tree, but it’s slightly easier
to cut it out straight. To cut these out, I have used both a jig saw
and a hand-held coping saw with equal success. You might have to cut
and pry off a few components to avoid dulling your saw, but it’s
possible to cut right through just about everything if you have the
right saw blade. Or if you’re willing to sacrifice it!
2. File all the cut edges of the circuit
board.
3. Cut apart and file the edges of your
broken jewelry. Rhinestones are particularly effective in creating
sparkle, but don’t overlook more classic styles, including plain
metal and thermoset plastic. Look for a piece that will simulate a
tree trunk if you desire one, and be particularly careful in choosing
the piece you use for the star on the top of your tree.
4. Move your pieces around until you
achieve the layout that you want. You might want to do this on a
paper pattern of your tree to make placement easier when it’s time
to glue them.
5. You have a couple of options for
adhering your jewelry pieces. Circuit board is very difficult to get
most glues to stick to. They will seem to at first, but crack off a
few days later. Two-part epoxy resin creates by far the most
permanent bond. Mix up a small amount and use it to stick the
jewelry bits onto the surface. Let it dry thoroughly overnight.
E6000 can be used instead, but it is not as secure in the long term
6. After the front is dry, flip the tree
over and epoxy a hangtag to the top of the back, with the hole
extending up just over the top. Let it dry thoroughly. Slip a jump
ring through the hole, a chain through the jump ring, and start
thinking about what to do with all the rest of that circuit board!
This post contains affiliate links: Beadaholique
Copyright 2013 Cyndi Lavin. All rights reserved. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.
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