How to Make a Mixed Media Pendants from Gift Tags

Hello, my friends.

Today I want to show you a project that I got addicted to making. And I hope you'll love them as much.

I call this project making mixed media pendants. Some of you might not know about mixed media as much. The definition is "the use of a variety of material in art." You can also apply the term to digital media, but that's a whole different thing.

So as the definition described, we'll be making pendants that include a variety of fun materials. And as the base of the pendant, we will use small chipboard gift tags. Isn't that fun?

Step 1

Find all the chipboard tags you have or get some on Amazon.

I have quite a collection of far too much, so I happened to have on hand a variety of shapes and sizes. I added a dime in the picture so you could see what sizes I chose.

Step 2

This part takes some planning if you decide to make several at once.

We're going to be covering the front of the tag with patterned scrapbook paper.

So, if you're making a few, pick out some different scrapbook paper for each one and decide what paper you want to use for each tag.

I used my scrap pieces of paper.

Step 3

Now you choose what color of craft paint you want the back of the pendant to be. Before you attach the scrapbook paper, paint the back a complimentary color to the paper.

Step 4

When the back paint is dry, flip the tag over and add some more paint around the edges of the front, because we're cutting the scrapbook paper just a little bit smaller than the tag.

Step 5

The last step with the back of the tag is to give it a coat of glaze medium to help protect it.

Step 6

Once your tags are all dry, match them back up to their corresponding scrapbook paper.

Step 7

Put your tag on top of the back of the scrapbook paper it goes with. Take a pencil and trace the tag on the paper.

Step 8

Cut out the traced shape from the scrapbook paper, but try your best to cut just a little bit on the inside.

Step 9

Attach the scrapbook paper to the front of the tag using mod podge or something similar.

You can also put a coat on the front of the paper.

In this next photo, you can see why you wanted to cut the paper just a little smaller.

Since most chipboard shapes are a little rounded around the edges, we cut it smaller so that the paper fits and won't bunch at the edges.

Step 10

At this point, we're going to poke a needle through the paper where the hole of the tag is. This way we can add a chain or jump ring to it later.

Step 11

Now, for the most fun part of the project! - and the reason we can call it mixed media. Go and collect any embellishments you need or want to decorate the tag. This could be glitter, glitter glue, puffy paint, charms, scrapbook stickers, or embellishments - go crazy seeing what you can find to use.

Step 12

We're not done yet. After everything is dry on our pendants, we have to pour a coat of diamond glaze over the top. This amazing product gives a thick, clear coat over all sorts of bumpy things. It's like a low-tech resin coating.

I put some of my diamond glaze into a smaller squeeze bottle for better control.

Below, two tags are drying on a silicone drying mat.

Then let it dry.

After your diamond glaze is dry, marvel at all your amazing homemade pendants!

I actually plan to sell a few on Etsy and you could do the same thing 💰.

Add a chain and show them off!

Buy the supplies on Amazon: