Fun Fabric Rings from your Sketchbook Tutorial and Giveaway!

This week I've been exploring another way to use my sketchbook drawings and doodles in order to expose them to the light of day. Here's a quickie tutorial on making some FUN FABRIC RINGS and PENDANTS out of your own art. We'll be turning some of our sketches into fabric art this October during Art Camp For Women, if you'd like a hands-on demonstration (with dessert and wine!).

I'm going to give these examples away to three lucky winners that I'll draw randomly. Please make  a comment below by the end of the day July 23rd if you'd like to win a ring and necklace, and I'll draw names from that pool and post here on the 24th and via Facebook and Twitter. Commenters should answer this question: what is your secret or not-so-secret drawing passion? Birds, cats, cupcakes, mermaids or your left foot? Do tell us what you like to draw over and over. Winners will have a couple of days to notify me of their address before I move on to someone else. On to the ART!

What you'll need:
--drawings or paintings (simple ones work best), black and white or color
--a scanner or digital camera
--computer with basic editing software
--inkjet printer
--inkjet ready fabric sheets like these.
--cover buttons and mold like these (I am using size 60 for rings and size 45 for pendants).
--scissors
--jewelry findings (blank rings and pendants)
--E-6000 glue

Begin with a drawing from scratch or choose something you've already finished.

Measure the button cover you are using and also the template that came with the button kit. Here I've cut out  a circle according to the template on the button cover box. Use the button width to size your final image for printing and the template measurement to know how far apart to space your images to that you can cut out around them.

 Scan your drawing to your computer, OR photograph it with a digital camera. You can scan an image that is black and white and then add color with software, or simply scan a finished painting or drawing and go with the original color.

Here I'm using a free program called paint.net (www.getpaint.net) to add color and text to my image. These are some of my finished images. You can create jewelry from a single image or have fun making a bunch of drawings for your bling.

Next, ready your inkjet fabric. You can purchase fabric that's ready to go through the printer, or make your own and iron it to freezer paper. Using the measurements of your button template, create a document for printing. Publisher is a great program, but if you don't have that, use Word or Open Office or whatever you use to create a printable page. Lay out squares so you know how much space you need around your image for cutting the fabric circle. My button template is 2.5", so I made 2.5" squares on the page and I'll center my images in those. Cut and paste your images into the squares and resize them according to the size of your button face. My button covers are 1.5", so I want to make sure that each image is about 1.5".  Print them out on inkjet ready fabric and heat set according to the package directions. Then cut them out, using the template you've created for the button covers.

Since I was using the paint program, I was able to fill in my squares completely so that the buttons will have a solid color background, but you can stick with a white background or overlap your artwork so that it covers the entire button face. 

I am not using the shank part on the back of my buttons, so I'm using pliers to remove it. Now, follow the instructions with the button cover kit and use the mold to pop the back onto the button. Voila!

From this point, grab your E-6000 or other jewelry type craft glue and some findings and make your custom rings, pins, pendants and earrings! Glue and go. Your buttons should be damp cloth washable, but add a layer of gloss medium if you want to make them impervious to the elements. Just another way to find value in your daily sketchbook.