Mardi Gras Faux Diocloric Glass Mask Mini Purse by Linda Strawn

Black Shrink Plastic Mask

1: Ink up mask image from Stamp Zia with any color of ink that will show on  black, I used brilliance galaxy gold.  Stamp image onto black shrink plastic (www.luckysquirrel.com.) Don’t worry about getting a good image as all we are after is the shape of the mask.  Cut image out (use an Exacto knife to cut out the eyes.)  At this point, use a cloth and wipe away all the ink on the mask.

2: Prepare your melting pot by adding clear UTEE about 1/2 cup and 3/4 of a scoop of UTEE flex (available from www.rangerink.com) and replace the lid and let it melt. When fully melted stir slowly to mix the flex into the UTEE.

3, Add about 1/2 Cup of clear ultra thick embossing powder to the pan in a melting pot. This device is a small pan which has a small Teflon like pan inside (like a mini electric frying pan) you add ultra thick embossing powder and place the lid on, plug it in, and turn the temperature on high. Wait about 10 minutes and the embossing powder will be melted to a thick liquid. Next add 3/4 scoop (your scoop comes in a bottle of flex) of flex, this is an additive which makes the embossing powder flexible and less likely to crack. Add the flex to the hot UTEE and stir slowly with a dowel to mix. Do this slowly as to not add air bubbles. Now your melting pot is ready to use.
Note: You can buy melting pots and flex and all the accessories as well as UTEE from ranger industries at www.rangerink.com

3:  Lay a small piece of rainbow foil, color side down, onto a heat resistant Teflon pad (from Ranger.)

4:  Using tweezers, place your black shrink plastic mask into the hot UTEE, it will immediately start to shrink and curl.

5:  When fully shrunk, quickly place your mask onto the rainbow foil. Use a tile or other smooth object and place it on top and press down firmly to flatten mask.  Let cool and then peel mask off the foil.  You will notice that the foil has adhered to the UTEE.

6:  Pick up the mask using tweezers and quickly dip the foil covered mask into the hot UTEE and set it down, face side up, on the Teflon sheet.  Press again with your tile.  You will notice that the foil has cracked just like diocloric glass.  Do not let it sit in the hot UTEE but just a quick dip or your foil will crack and run off.

7:  When cool, use a heat gun to smooth the UTEE and further crack the foil. Again not too much heat or your foil will run off.  We are just trying to smooth out the UTEE at this point and it should not take but just a few seconds of heat.  Let cool.

8:  Turn mask over to the back side. Use an Exacto knife to cut out the eye slots again. Use your scissors and remove and trim any extra UTEE from the mask.  When done, use your heat gun again quickly to smooth out any cuts.

9:  Use rhinestones, feathers, pearls, flash, and etcetera to decorate your mask. See picture.  Use a small piece of Mizuhiki cord for the handle of the mask. Set aside. 

Purse:

1:  Cut a piece of Wonder tape sheet available (Suze Weinberg Studios) to 5-1/4 x 2”, do not remove backing, yet.  Use a pencil and mark a line 1-3/4” from the bottom.

2:  Peel off one side of the backing and place your paper charm on the line, remember this will be on the back side of your purse.  Paper charms are from Amy’s Magic at www.artbyamy@kiski.net

3:   Randomly pat on gold leaf flakes on your purse (Amy’s Magic) then smooth down.

4:  Rub a resin bag over the container you will be using to catch your Mini Beedz (Ranger), this will prevent most of your beads from sticking and allow you to pour them back in your jar effortlessly. Place purse in your container and pour on first color of beads where you desire, do not cover the whole purse.  Press your beads down a bit and pour off the extra. Repeat for other colors one at a time. On your last color, cover the whole purse and tap the edges into the beads.

5:  Lay your gold leaf sheet down flat, peel off the other side of the protective covering on your purse. Position your purse over the gold leaf sheet so the whole thing will be covered. Next, press down your purse and smooth with your fingers.  Remove excess gold leaf from the edges.

6:  Using a strip of scrap tape sheet, about 1/8” wide by 2” long, place at the very top of the 2” edge, remove tape and fold top flap down about 1/4”.

7:  Fold your purse up by bringing the bottom up and the top flap over that then crease the folds with your fingers. Cut a piece of tape same size as in step 6 and place it where the flap folds on the inside gold leaf side, this will reinforce the place where you will set eyelets and run your cord thru.  Peel off the protective covering and add a bit of extra gold leaf to cover the strip.

8:  Punch 2 evenly spaced holes into this strip and set with eyelets.

9:  Cut 2 strips of tape 1/8” wide by 1-3/4” long and place them at the sides, starting at the bottom crease.  Do not remove protective covering yet.

10:  Cut another piece of tape to 1/8” wide by 2” long and place this in the center of bottom crease.  See pictures for example of placements.  On this piece only, peel off protective coating and add gold leaf along the tape.  This is to reinforce the eyelet holes where you will hang your charms.

11:  Finally peel off the protective covering along the sides and fold up the bottom to form your pouch.

12:  Punch 3 evenly spaced holes thru the bottom of your purse and set eyelets into each one.

13:  Add your choice of charms and hang from a jump ring thru each of the eyelets.

14: Cut a piece of cord or ribbon to desired length and run it thru the eyelet holes at the top and tie into a knot.  This will be your Chain or hanger.

15:  You can print out a poem, saying, or prayer, laminate it and tuck it inside the purse.

16:  Add the mask to the front of the purse. Add a small piece of tape sheet in the center of the top flap to hold closed.  I like to run the tape I use for the closure over a piece of material to make it a bit less sticky.

Now you can wear your new piece of jewelry with pride, everyone will want to know where you got it.  Enjoy!