Thursday, January 8, 2009

Sealed bottle cap tutorial

Okay, here it is. I have finally finished it. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!

Sealed Bottle Cap Tutorial

by Carol Bryce

BottleCapsGalore!

So you want to make your own sealed bottle caps for your DIY projects, but you aren't sure how? Well, here is your chance to learn! I am far from being an expert, but I have been making sealed bottle caps and things from them for about a year now and after MUCH trial and error, I am to the point where I am comfortable enough with my technique to share it with others. I know there are tutorials out there in cyberland that you can buy, but you can get it here for free. So, here we go!
You will need the following supplies to make your sealed bottle cap:
One bottle cap. You can buy new ones on Etsy or you may reuse a clean beer bottle cap.
One one inch round image. You can use scrapbook paper or you can purchase collages inexpensively on Etsy. I would recommend printing collages commercially, like at Office Max. Most home printed ink jet prints fade and bleed when the sealer is applied. I would also recommend placing a coat of Aileene's Paper Glaze on scrapbook paper before using the 3D Crystal Lacquer. This will prevent any possible bleeding or fading. I have found that some scrapbook papers do fade or bleed, so I just place it on all scrapbook paper that I use. There is no need to use it on commercial prints.
A one inch circle punch for nice even images.
An adhesive to attach the image to the bottle cap. I have found that Crafty Chica gloss/varnish works the best. Yes, I know it's not an official adhesive, but it works great! I got mine at Michaels. If you can't find it, you can use Mod Podge.
A finish/sealer for your adhered image. I use 3D Crystal Lacquer. This is by far the best stuff I have used. Little to no bubbles and it dries to a nice mirror like shine.
A tissue or paper towel for blotting the adhesive.
A Popsicle stick-optional
A flat surface to place your finished cap on for drying.

So now that you have all of your supplies together, you are ready to create!

Determine which side of the cap that you would like to decorate. The inside and outside decorate well, the inside is easier to seal. I use recycled caps for rings.
Once you have decided which side to use (for this tutorial, I will use the outside), place a small amount (a pea size amount) of your chosen adhesive to the cap and spread it evenly, either with the tip of the bottle or with a Popsicle stick. Apply carefully from the bottle as some adhesives can be thin!
Add your chosen image and place it on the cap, making sure it is straight. Take your tissue or paper towel and press down lightly on the image to adhere it to the cap and blot any adhesive that oozes out.
Let it dry for about 15-30 mins.
Apply Aileene's Paper Glaze if you are using it and let it dry-about10-15mins.
Apply 3D Crystal Lacquer; do not shake the bottle. Using gentle squeezing pressure on the bottle, apply a thin line of lacquer in the middle, go around the edges and fill in the rest with the tip of the bottle(don't squeeze the bottle, just move the tip around. Do not use a circular motion, as this may form bubbles) making sure to cover the area evenly. If any bubbles form, just pop them with the tip of the bottle or blow on it gently.
Let dry on a flat surface for 12 hours. I would recommend waiting at least two days before shipping or packaging to allow the sealer to dry entirely.

8 comments:

Johanna said...

Very cool, I'm thinking WAY ahead to next Christmas for my sister... or maybe her birthday in July. Thanks for the tutorial!

Unknown said...

This is awesome, thanks so much for sharing! I've been saving bottle caps for this reason and now I don't even have to search for 'how to' videos!

Anonymous said...

What do you use to punch a hole in the bottle cap? I did it with a hammer and nail, but it was not that clean. I would like something easier ... any ideas?

She-ality said...

Carol, awesome tutorial!! Can you share the differences you found between 3D Crystal Lacquer vs. the ArtDeco Triple Thick glaze? Do you get a good hard coat with either? Is one clearer? Are either prone to cracking or bubbling? I can't find these locally and wanted to ask an expert before ordering online. :)

Unknown said...

What an awesome tutorial, I really love it! In fact, due to the fact that my children love handcraft and stuff, I think that this will be our next activity together.
I have made research randomly a lot about a great deal of issues around the world, and after realizing the huge importance that has spending time with your own children, I am always looking for great, cool and crazy activities to develop with my children. I also realized about the great importance of Generic Viagra
,reusing and recycling.
I am pretty glad to have come to your humble and kind blog.

Mel said...

What a fabulous tutorial! Easy to follow and great pictures! Thanks!

Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God

Timrodlady said...

Carol, very good tutorial. I have just started using 3D laquer and your comments were helpful. I discovered if you print your images on a Photoprinter and use HP Advance Photo paper, the ink will not bleed. The cheaper photopaper does have to be sealed with ModPodge or some other sealer or it will run. I was already using the Advance Photopaper for pictures and used some for images, they do not run or bleed. I did purchase a hole puncher just for metal and it works great for the holes. I got it at bottlecap.com. They have lots of supplies. thanks so much for all your helpful comments and observations. I think they will help me deal with the bubbles, etc. more gracefully. Happy bottle capping.
Linda from S.C.

Crafty Mary Ellen said...

Love the tutorial but I have a question .. how do you get the flared out look with the crimped part your bottle caps?