Copy of Orange Orchard Necklace Tutorial
Before you start
- You may want to wear an apron or clothes you don’t mind getting sticky glue on! Similarly, it's best to choose a workspace you don’t mind getting a bit messy; you can use newspaper or cardboard to protect any surfaces.
- Always peel the protective film off the bases of your acrylic and wood pieces before gluing (note some pieces may not have film). However, it's best to leave the top film on. This keeps your necklace protected from any sticky glue marks and makes the end reveal extra special!
About the glue
- The glue you will be using is a non-toxic, solvent free, water-based polymer glue. If you would like to see a material safety data sheet please email us at hello@wolfandmoon.com
- The glue is moveable for three minutes, after this it's difficult to re-position so remember to check your placement regularly.
- It will be fully set in 2 hours and achieves full strength after 24 hours so we advise not to wear your necklace until after this time to make sure your chains are glued securely.
- If the glue has seeped out of the sides of your piece while making, after 15 minutes it turns slightly rubbery so you can peel it off any edges in the final checking stage. Avoid trying to clean edges any earlier.
- To open the glue, take off the grey nozzle and lid and remove the black ring. Twist the nozzle back on to pierce the seal of the glue.
- If you’re not using the glue for more than a minute, it's best to put the cap back on to prevent it from drying up in the nozzle.
- If the glue has dried, use the brass pin to poke the inside of the nozzle a few times to unclog.
- Having some kitchen towel or strong tissue to hand is helpful for wiping the end of your glue nozzle to remove any dried lumpy glue. If the nozzle isn't clean, lumpy glue can make the pieces harder to lay flat on your base.
What's included in your kit...
Envelope A contents:
1 x tube of glue (may look different to the image)
3 x cocktail sticks (good for spreading glue)
3 x cotton buds (good for wiping up glue)
1 x brass pin (good for unclogging the glue)
2 x Flat brass chain with findings
4 x Brushed brass circles (1 x spare)
Envelope B contents:
1 x Wood base
3 x Acrylic gold mirror leaves
3 x Acrylic oranges
3 x Painted wood leaf pieces in green
2 x Mother of pearl flower pieces
1 x Cotton jewellery pouch
Step One - Gluing in the chain
1. Squeeze some glue into the channels on your wood base and place the ends of the chains in.
2. Make sure you have the findings the right way around. Clasp on the left, loop on the right (when facing the piece).
3. Use a cocktail stick to push the chain into the space and use a cotton bud to clean up any excess glue to make sure your pieces sit flat over the top.
4. Make sure you have waited at least 15 minutes for the glue to dry before glueing any pieces onto the base (Step Three).
Step Two - Arranging the pieces
1. Before you start to glue your pieces, its good to familiarise yourself with the layout by arranging them in order.
*Tip* it can also help to place the pieces on the base without glue first.
2. Peel the protective film off of the bases of your acrylic pieces before gluing, leave the top film on until the very end.
Step Three - Gluing the laser cut pieces
You can glue the acrylic and wood on in any order, however we recommend starting at one side and then moving across the piece rather than glueing colour by colour. This way, it is easier to make sure all the pieces fit.
1. Squeeze the glue onto the base one section at a time and spread an even amount to the edges using a cocktail stick.
2. Place the acrylic or wood pieces over the glue and use your fingers to push it down so it sits flat to the base.
3. When you get to the pieces covering the chain, make sure you add some more glue on top of the chain - this will give it extra strength.
4. Make sure pieces are evenly spaced and not overhanging off the base. Don’t worry if the glue seeps out the edges, you can peel it off when dried!
*Tip* Use your cocktail stick to remove any dried glue between acrylic/wood pieces, this will help with your spacing! Or if the glue is still wet and theres excess glue between pieces, wipe with a cotton bud.
5. Repeat for all the acyclic and wood pieces, keep checking that there is no gap between the acrylic/top wood pieces and the base. The glue is moveable for three minutes, it’s difficult to move after this, so make sure you check your positioning regularly!
See our FAQ section at the bottom of the tutorial page if you have any questions!
Step Four - Gluing the brass pieces
1. Carefully squeeze a small amount of glue inside the engraved circles on the mother of pearl (these are quite faint but are in the middle of each pearl flower shape). You can also squeeze the glue onto the end of a cocktail stick and use to apply - this can help with precision.
2. There is a slight brushed ‘grain’ to the 3 x brass circles. Aim for the ‘grain’ to go in the same direction on each circle i.e. vertically. Place your brushed brass circles over the glue and press gently - this step can be fiddly!
3. Wipe any excess glue with a cotton bud, its best to do this when the glue is still wet but avoid moving your brass circle!
Step Five - Final checks and peeling
1. Give your necklace the final check and press the pieces so they’re flush to the base with no gaps.
2. After around 15 minutes, any glue on the edges of the necklace should be dried and have a rubbery texture which can be peeled off with your fingernail or a cocktail stick - be careful not to scratch the pieces!
3. Once the glue has fully dried, you can peel the film off the acrylic pieces to reveal your finished Orange Orchard Necklace!
We recommend not to wearing your necklace for at least 24 hours so the glue will be fully set and secure!
See our jewellery care page for more information on looking after your jewellery.
Watch the whole process
Watch our timelapse video of the complete process. Pause, rewind and rewatch all you like!
FAQs
How can I tell which is the top and base of the acrylic/wood pieces?
The top usually has engravings and the base is plain. Some acrylic has a layer of white or mirror coating on the base. If the piece doesn't have engravings or a coating, the front usually has a more marbled pattern to the acrylic and the base has a flat tone. Before you start to glue your pieces, its good to familiarise yourself with the layout by arranging them on your base without glue. This will also help give you an idea of the correct side to use.
Always peel the protective film from the base before gluing and leave the top film on until the very end!
I’ve put too much glue on and its spilling out the edges
If the glue is still moveable, make sure the piece is in the correct position i.e. not hanging over the edges and flush to the base. We recommend waiting for at least 15 minutes (until the glue has become rubbery), peel off the edges with your fingernail or use a cocktail stick – be careful not to scratch the acrylic. You can do this after all the pieces have been glued at the end.
What should I do if my tube of glue has become blocked?
Use a piece of kitchen towel or tissue to wipe the end of the glue nozzle. If it's still blocked, unscrew the grey nozzle and use a cocktail stick to unblock any dried glue from the inside of the nozzle. It's best to keep the cap on when you're not using the glue to avoid it drying out. Always wipe the end before using and test on a piece of kitchen towel or tissue.
What should I do if my pieces won’t stick flat to the base?
You can use bulldog clips to hold your acrylic down to the base while to glue is drying. Remember to keep checking your positioning as the pieces can slip out of place.
If its still not flush to the base and the glue is still wet remove the piece and check there are no lumps of dried glue or anything obstructing – remove by wiping with kitchen towel or tissue. Be careful when removing dried glue, some acrylic has a layer of colour or mirror coating on the base which can come off. Once the piece is cleaned re apply some fresh glue and make sure you’ve spread evenly to the edges and press the piece back on firmly. To avoid dried or lumpy glue, always clean the end of the nozzle before using and only apply it to the section you’re about to glue. Replace the cap if not in use.
If the glue has dried, try to squeeze some more glue in the gap and press the pieces together and use bulldog clips to secure while drying.
I’ve lost / broken a piece!
We haven’t supplied extra pieces but if you’re missing anything or a piece gets broken or is unusable please email us at hello@wolfandmoon.com and will be able to help!
If you have any further questions please email us at hello@wolfandmoon.com
We hope you love your new necklace. Make sure you tag us in your photos on Instagram! @wolfandmoonshop