Paint and embellish wooden blanks to create Helen Cant’s fun tea partythemed set

What you need...

• BEADS Pearls, flat back: 3mm x 11; 4mm x 5, Pearls, round: 3mm x 1; 4mm x 13; 10mm x 5, Waxed cord covered, fuchsia pink and white, 14mm x 6, Acrylic flowers: 10mm x 1; 13mm x 1, Rose cabochon, pink plastic, 18mm x 3, Charms, brass: teapot x 2; teacup x 3; gingerbread man (no loop) x 1; gingerbread man (with loop) x 1; large heart key x 1, Wood shapes, solid birch: standard heart (25mm x 25mm x 3mm) x 6: circle, (44mm x 44mm x 5mm) x 1
  
  FINDINGS Aanraku bail, goldplated, selection, Chain, trace, goldplated, 3mm x 4mm links, Charm bracelet blank, gold-plated, with toggle clasp, Jump rings, 5mm, Ring blanks, gold plated, flat pad, Extender chain, Lobster clasp, Head pins, Eye pins, Earwires, fish hook, Ribbon, 5mm, pink gingham
  
  TOOLS Resin, Envirotex Lite Pour-On, Paint, acrylic: white; green, Sealer, Mod Podge gloss, Measuring cups, graded in millilitres, Paintbrushes, Glue, epoxy resin, Heat gun, Lolly sticks, Cocktail sticks, Nail file, Pliers: round-nosed; flat-nosed, Cutters, wire, Tape measure, Nail varnish, clear
  

instructions

1. Necklace - 1. Mix together white and green acrylic paint to create a pastel shade, then apply three coats to one side and the edges of a circular wooden shape, and leave to fully dry. Apply a coat of sealer in preparation for the coating of resin then allow to set. Using a nail file, gently sand the bottom of two acrylic flower beads a little to create a slightly flatter surface.
   
   2. Prepare 5ml of resin according to the manufacturer’s instructions and mix thoroughly. The resin should become white and bubbly in appearance and you will feel the mixing cup becoming slightly warm to the touch. Pour a small amount of resin in the centre of the wooden shape then use a lolly stick to spread it to the edges. Gently warm with a heat gun on a low setting from a height of 10cm to remove air bubbles, giving the resin several 10 second blasts rather than heating all at once.
   
   3. Position a rose cabochon to the top left of the wooden shape then the two flattened acrylic flower beads below. Pick up a little of the spare resin on the end of a cocktail stick and carefully push it up to the edges of the acrylic beads to provide extra strength. Gently blast with a heat gun again to remove any further bubbles. Position a teapot charm to the right and five 4mm flat back pearls around the edge.
   
   4. Examine your piece several times until it starts to set (around 35 minutes) to check for any movement of the pearls and gently reposition if necessary using a cocktail stick. Leave to fully set, away from sources of dust and fluff for 72 hours.
   
   5. Mix a small amount of epoxy glue according to the manufacturer’s instructions and apply a large bail to the back of the piece, then leave to fully set. Use a small amount of epoxy resin glue to adhere a 4mm pearl to the centre of the larger acrylic flower and a 3mm pearl to the middle of the smaller bloom, then leave to fully set. Cut a 46cm length of chain and pass through the bail.
   
   6. Thread a 4mm pearl onto a head pin followed by a waxed cord bead and another 4mm pearl, form a loop then repeat once more. Thread a 10mm pearl onto a head pin, form a loop then repeat. Attach the beaded head pins and pearls to the chain using 5mm jump rings. Cut 22cm of ribbon, thread through a link and tie in a bow. Trim the ends and coat with clear nail varnish to prevent fraying. To finish, attach a lobster clasp and extension chain to the ends of the chain using 5mm jump rings.