Create Helen Cant’s pretty oriental set using decorative washi papers and cute lucky cat beads

What you need...

• BEADS: Lucky cats, assorted designs x 5, Acrylic, round, red: 10mm x 1; 14mm x 1, Round, metal, goldplated: 3mm x 10; 4mm x 10; 6mm x 1, Hearts, cloisonne: white x 1; peach x 1, Pearl, 10mm, white x 1
  
  FINDINGS: Circles, wood, solid birch, 25mm x 6, Jump rings, goldplated: 5mm; 7mm; 9mm, Chain, gold-plated, small link, Bracelet blank, with toggle clasp, goldplated, Earwires, goldplated, Head pins, goldplated, Eye pin, gold-plated, Kilt pin blank, goldplated, Papers, washi, Resin, glazing
  
  TOOLS: Drill, hobby, Paint, acrylic, gold, Paintbrush, Pliers, round-nosed, Cutters, wire, Glue, PVA, Scissors, Tape measure, Pencil, Ruler, Eraser, Lolly sticks, Glue, epoxy resin, Heat gun (optional)
  

instructions

1. Apply two coats of gold acrylic paint to one side and the edges of three 25mm circular wooden shapes. Also paint two coats to the very edge of the other side of the circle and allow to dry between each application. Once fully dry, place each disc over a different piece of washi paper and trace round it with a pencil. If this leaves any pencil marks on the edge of the wooden circle, remove them using an eraser.

2. Coat the back of each paper with PVA glue then adhere to a circle before leaving to dry. Seal the paper on each disc with four coats of PVA glue, allowing each application to dry before applying the next. Once the last coat is fully dry and free of any moisture, prepare 15ml of resin according to the manufacturer’s instructions (this will be enough for all the items in this project). Using a lolly stick, carefully apply a small amount of resin to the centre of each circle then spread it out to the edges. Air bubbles may be removed by gently warming with a heat gun for a few seconds, however most will disappear without any assistance. Leave to fully dry away from sources of fluff and dust for at least 24 hours.

3. Once the resin has fully set, drill a small hole through the top of each shape. Create two beaded head pins with two 4mm gold-plated beads and a lucky cat bead for each. Make up another head pin using two 3mm goldplated beads and a 14mm acrylic red bead, plus one more with two 3mm goldplated beads and a white cloisonné heart. Secure the washi circles to a bracelet blank using 9mm jump rings and the beaded head pins using 7mm jump rings.