Glittering Teachers Gifts DIY Tutorial - Gifts that teachers will actually want!

This Friday we welcome Melissa Biebel to the Craft Chameleon Blog. She has produced a really unique, clever and glittery tutorial today. Let us know if you try this technique!

Follow along while I show you the method to glitter your clear acrylic pencil blanks to add sparkle to your favorite teacher's life! Shown here is cute classroom sign and coordinating keychain but other acrylic shapes from CraftChameleon.com can be used with this technique.

Supplies
Items listed with an * are clickable links to the products on the website.
* Acrylic Blank Pencil 3"
* Keychain 
* Triangle Bail

* Tassels
* Oval Jump Rings
  Painters Tape
  Small Paint Brush and/or Popsicle Stick
  Glitter  
  Mod Podge
  2 Part Epoxy * Acrylic Blank Pencil Sign
  Ribbon or Twine to Hang the Sign

First to get the glitter in the proper areas of the acrylic, use the tape to create the areas for glitter.

While you use a paintbrush or popsicle stick to apply your mod podge, I use a squirt bottle to get it onto the acrylic. I think it improves accuracy, keeps stray glitter out of the jar and is less wasteful. If you decide to make a several you might consider employing this technique.

Use your small paintbrush to smooth the mod podge onto the area you want to glitter. Be sure your layers are thin.

Sprinkle your glitter onto the mod podge. Shake off the excess and let it dry. If you need or want a second layer of glitter, repeat with another layer of mod podge then glitter. Continue layers until you are happy with the result.

Peel off the tape while the mod podge is still wet. 

Move the tape down the acrylic pencil blank and continue the mod podge glitter process.

To make the zig-zag area just tear the tape and place it on the blank Another option is to cut a piece of vinyl from the cut file provided by CraftChameleon.com. 

Almost completed, tape off the lead portion of the acrylic. Then proceed with the mod podge and glitter process.

Now all the glitter layer are complete, just allow drying.

To completely seal the glittered acrylics, I prefer to use a two-part epoxy resin. It provides a harder protection over the glitter. I use Alumilite Clear Cast. It can be found at most craft stores.  Make sure to get the clear drying formula, there is another one that dries white.

Mix the 2 parts together in equal portions with a popsicle stick that you can use to apply the resin (shown in the photo above). Do not apply resin in the hole or it will be filled.

If you do not want to use a 2 part epoxy try the dimensional mod podge or other thick clear coat. 

Once completed with the epoxy application, let the pencils sit for a few hours until cured.

Once dry, apply the decal with your teacher's name. Another coat of epoxy can be added to protect any small pieces of vinyl. Assemble your keychain and you're done!

To make the large pencil sign follow the same steps. It is just on a larger scale.

To hang the sign, thread a ribbon or twine through the holes on the top and tie to secure. The triangle bails can be used in the holes with chain for another hanging alternative.

Thank you, Melissa, for a cute and unique tutorial!

Won't you consider pinning our image below? We'd appreciate it!