Balsa Wood Diamond Pendent

Hi!

This is my first post on balsa wood jewellery. I have been experimenting with balsa wood and glaze paste to create statement jewellery pieces. The bonus about balsa wood is it is really soft, this allows you to easily cut it into any shape you wish, however this means it also snaps easily. To strengthen the balsa wood simply coat it with some glaze paste and the opportunities are endless!!

Balsa wood jewellery and finished product of diamond pendent option 1 and option 2:

What you’ll need:

Balsa wood
Ruler
Scalpel
Glaze paste (décolletage glue)
Paint brush
Sticky tape
Selection of paints
Paper
Large needle

What you’ll need option 1:

Black fine liner
Black cord 80cm

What you’ll need option 2:

Chain
Jump hoops x3
Clasp
Pliers

What you’ll need to do:

Use a ruler and scalpel to mark the outline of the diamond on the balsa wood. I used the dimensions, 3.5cm top, 3.5cm top sides, and 6cm bottom sides. Then cut, use the ruler to keep the lines straight. Coat the diamond with a layer of glaze paste. The glaze paste will strengthen the balsa wood and give it a plastic like feel. Wait till dry.
Mix some glaze paste into the paint this should make the paint glossy. Use sticky tape to section the diamond for painting. Paint section and peel off sticky tape. Repeat the process for each section you wish to paint.
Keep repeating the process.
After the paint is dry start neatening the back. Choose some nice paper to use as a base for your back and glaze glue it to the diamond. Cute paper to fit the diamond shape. Then finish off by applying a topcoat of glaze paste to the paper backing, this will give it a nice gloss effect.
Turn the diamond into a pendant by poking a hole through the balsa wood with a large needle.

What you’ll need to do finishing options:

Option 1:

Outline the different sections of the diamond with a fine liner.
Thread the cord through the hole in the diamond and tie a knot at the top.
Tie two slip knots, to adjustable the length of the necklace.

Option 2:

Thread a jump hoop through the hole in the diamond. Connect the jump hoop to the chain and fasten.
Attach the clasp to the ends of the chain with remaining jump hoops.

And tahh dahh you’re finished!!

Hope you like it!!