Soar Like a Bird Necklace

This beautiful pendant necklace from Melony Bradley would make a great gift for Mother's Day or a graduation.  Made with a variety of craft supplies, this Soar Like a Bird Necklace is a must for fans of mixed media and unique handmade pendants. 

Materials:

• Wood finches
• Various unfinished wood pieces
• A variety of paints
• Pearl Ex
• Wax
• Sand paper or nail file
• Paintbrush
• Strong adhesive
• Rhinestone chain
• Wire nips
• Various other embellishments to decorate your bird

Instructions:

1. I used Jacquard Products Neopaque paints and Pearl Ex to create a shabby chic look to my pieces.
   
   
    
2. First I painted the pieces in White and Black.
   
   
    
3. When the pieces were dry to the touch, I applied wax randomly to the pieces. Then I painted them the opposite color.
   
   
   
   
    
4. Let the pieces dry to the touch again and then lightly sand the surface with a sanding block or nail file. Areas where the wax was applied will sand off easily to reveal a distressed finish.
   
   
    
5. Next, mix a little Pearl Ex Varnish with pearl ex in Pewter until you have a slightly creamy consistency.
   
   
    
6. Dry brush the Pearl Ex across the surface of the wood pieces with a paintbrush.
   
   
    
7. Once the pieces are dry, you can begin to assemble the pieces using a strong tacky glue, such as Aleenes Liquid Fusion.
   
   
    
8. Now the real fun begins. Embellishment!
    
9. Attach some rhinestone chain to the edges of the wood circle, using wire nips to cut the chain as needed for the appropriate length. Place a thin line of liquid fusion to the edge of the circle and glue the pieces on.
   
   
    
10. Now add various embellishment such as a pretty flower to the wing and some flat backed gems, secured with tacky glue.
     
11. At the last minute, I decided to add an eye painted on with a thin brush.
    
    
     
12. I added small computer printed sentiment to the tail using a foam brush and collage pauge.