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Cracked Glass Pendant {Homemade Christmas Gifts}

Its the last day of our Homemade Christmas Gift series! So let’s end it with a bang, shall we? You’re going to love this one… 
 
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I’m so happy to be here at The Scrap Shoppe today!!  I’m Lisa from Lisa’s Craft Blog and this Cracked Glass Pendant tutorial will show you how to crack glass marbles and pebbles and then turn them into these wonderful pendants or ornaments for friends, family, or even yourself!!
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The tutorial below will show you how to make the first pendant above.  At the end, I’ll explain how to make the different variations shown in the picture.
Let’s get started…
Step 1: GATHER SUPPLIES
– Glass Marbles/Pebbles
– Bead caps that will fit the marbles
– Wire or eye pins
– Beading glue or super glue
– Chain or jumprings
– Jewelry pliers
Step 2: CRACK MARBLES
This step was the most exciting!!  It was so much fun to watch and hear the glass crack!!
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Place your marbles on a cookie sheet or baking pan.
Bake at 500 degrees for 20 minutes.
While they’re baking, get a metal bowl and fill it will water and ice.
As soon as you take the marbles out of the oven, dump them in the ice water.
Allow the glass to finish cracking. You may want to swirl or stir the marbles to get them to crack a bit more.
Step 3: MAKE CAPS
This is kind of hard to do, but once you figure out one, you can get the rest!  (Sorry about the poor photo for this step.)
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Make an eyepin or have one on hand.
Stick the eyepin through the bead cap with the loop on top of the cap.
Make another loop on the inside of the bead cap.
Squish the loop down into the tip of the cap.
Check to make sure the bead cap will still sit flush on the marble.
Make a total of 3 of these.
Step 4: ATTACH CAP(S)
This step is soo tricky!!  Take your time and it will work out fine!!
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Add Top Caps
Using bead glue or super glue, attach a “looped” bead cap to the cracked marble.
Stand the marble up on something so the cap is exactly at the top while it dries.
Repeat with a second marble.
Allow to dry completely!!
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Add Bottom Cap
Glue your last “looped” bead cap on the bottom of one of the marbles you just worked with.
Note: Make sure it is at the absolute opposite side from the first bead cap!!  If it isn’t you will definitely notice it later!!  Just look at the photo of the finished pendant to see what I mean!!
Allow to dry completely.
Step 4: CONNECT MARBLES
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Using chain links or small jumprings, attach the two marbles together.
Add a larger jumpring to the top of the first marble.
String onto a chain, ribbon, cord, etc. to make a necklace!
FINISHED!!
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CRYSTAL BALL VERSION
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Make one “looped” bead cap and attach it to a cracked marble.
Add a jumpring and string onto a necklace.
This was my favorite pendant!
PEBBLE PENDANT VERSION
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Paint a wooden disc about the size of your pebble in a color of your choosing.
Note: I used gold and recommend using any dark color.
Stick an eyepin in the side of the disc going diagonally against the grain of the wood.
Glue the pebble to the center of the disc and let dry completely.
Attach a jumpring and string onto a necklace.
DROP ORNAMENT VERSION
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Make 7 “looped” bead caps.
Add 2 caps to 3 of the marbles and only 1 cap to the last marble.
Connect them together using chain links or small jumprings.
Add a jumpring to the top loop and string onto a necklace.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my Cracked Glass Pendant Tutorial and the 3 versions too!!  I’ve had a great time with this project and would love to know if you give it a try!!
If you need ideas for Christmas, I’m currently hosting a 26-Day Christmas Craft Marathon over at Lisa’s Craft Blog!!  There’s a Linky Party happening now, plus I have over 10 complete ornament tutorials with more on the way!!  Stop by some time!!
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Isn’t this just the most ingenious idea? I am so going to try this technique!
Thank you so much for the wonderful tutorial, Lisa!
 
Tomorrow we will have features from the link party as well as a winner from the Cutting Edge Stencils giveaway! And I might just be ready to show you what I did with my stencil!
 
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Tecara

Monday 8th of October 2012

do they crack easily after you make them and cool or do you have to be careful not to crack them?

Michele {The Scrap Shoppe}

Wednesday 10th of October 2012

Hi Tecara! This was actually written by a guest blogger so I cannot directly answer your question. My best guess though is that after the marbles have cooled there is a much less likely chance of any further cracking. :)

Beverly {Flamingo Toes}

Friday 2nd of December 2011

This is so fun!! I love it - and I love all the variations too! I can't wait to try it!

The Answer Is Chocolate

Friday 2nd of December 2011

This is so gorgeous! And fun...another thing I can put in the oven that will totally confuse my husband!

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