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Vintage Memories: Wire Mesh Photo Transfer
Designed by Barbara Matthiessen
Intermediate project
Time to complete project: an evening.
Dimensions: 4" x 16"
Inspiration:
I’ve loved playing around with different image-transfer methods for years, and one day when I was in a hurry, I decided to try something different. After a couple of trials I found I could almost instantly transfer an image by heating it with my iron. Voila! For once my haste has paid off.
Materials:
- Toner copies of images*
- AMACO® WireMesh®—copper
- Crafter’s Pick™ Images to Fabric medium
- The Beadery®
1 pkg. Small Beads—Metallic Rainbow
1 pkg. Large Beads—Metallic Rainbow
- Artistic Wire™
18-ga. Wire—Copper
22-ga. Wire—Copper
- 1 tube 4mm TOHO beads—
copper, #221
- 15-20 6mm Hematite disks
- 50-60 2mm Round beads—
burnished gold
- 20" Plumber’s strapping tape—
copper
Additional Supplies:
- Basic beading supplies, clean rag, iron, jewelry tools (pliers, files, ruler), large needle or
T-pin, old paintbrush, parchment paper or Teflon® sheet to protect iron, sponge,
tin shears or heavy duty scissors, wire cutters
*Sample uses three images total in the following sizes:
2-1/2" x 4", 3-1/2" square, and 1-3/4" x 3".
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| Tips:
- Don’t forget that any lettering will need to be mirrored
as this is a reverse transfer process.
- Apply an even coat of medium with your finger so it is not
too thick. If you apply too much medium it will seep out the sides
when you press it.
- Be patient when removing the paper backing. The majority of
the paper is easily and quickly removed but fine wisps can take
a couple of minutes to work off.
- Gently use a slightly textured damp cloth when removing last
bits of paper. The image is on a fine film that truly cures in
72 hours.
Instructions:
Note: Use fresh, high-contrast toner copies.
- Trim copy of image as desired and cut a piece of mesh measuring 1" larger than image on all sides. Brush Images to Fabric Medium onto image, then immediately turn face down onto mesh and smooth with your finger (Fig.1).
- Cover the mesh and image with parchment paper or a Teflon® sheet and press with a hot iron until completely dry (Fig. 2).
- Allow to cool and then remove paper backing with water and sponge (Fig. 3). Allow to dry. After the mesh image transfer has dried, check to make sure all paper has been removed. If paper residue remains, repeat above process but be careful not to scrub through the film. Coat the image transfer with a very thin layer of Images to Fabric Medium.
- Double fold under all mesh edges around the image (Fig. 4a). This will conceal rough edges. To reduce bulk in the corners, trim the first fold on the diagonal (Fig. 4b).
- Repeat steps 1 to 4 with the remaining photos.
- Using the tin shears or heavy duty scissors, cut copper tape. Cut one piece with seven holes, one piece with six holes, one with five holes, and one with four holes. Note: Make sure the end holes all have the same amount of tape after them. Cut the ends in a rounded shape and file to remove sharp edges.
- Using 18-ga. Wire, bead the middles of the copper tapes first. To bead the four-hole tape piece, string two TOHO beads, one hematite disk, one Large Rainbow Metallic Bead, one hematite disk, and two TOHO beads on a 6"-piece of wire. Position the beads in the center of the wire, insert the wire ends into the middle two tape holes, and then twist together on the back of the tape.
- In the same manner, bead the middles of the five- and six-hole copper tape pieces using the following bead combination: Small Rainbow Metallic Bead, hematite disk, Large Rainbow Metallic Bead, hematite disk, Small Rainbow Metallic Bead. Bring wire around the tape ends and string additional Small Rainbow Metallic Beads. Insert wire into end holes, and then secure on the back. Bead the middle of the seven-hole tape piece in the same manner, adding Large Rainbow Metallic Beads on the ends.
- To make the beaded hanger for the piece, wrap a 14"-piece of 22-ga. Wire through the last hole of the seven-hole tape piece. String two TOHO beads, three gold rounds, hematite disk, Small Rainbow Metallic Bead, hematite disk, three gold rounds, two TOHO beads, three gold rounds, hematite disk, and a Large Rainbow Metallic Bead. Repeat in reverse for the second side of the hanger. Wrap wire around the opposite end of the tape piece. Secure wire on the back and trim excess wire.
- To attach the seven-hole tape piece and hanger to the first (largest) mesh photo, center the copper mesh image on the tape piece. Use a large needle or T pin to make holes through the mesh in line with the second hole from each tape end. String a Small Rainbow Metallic Bead, three gold rounds, and another Small Rainbow Metallic Bead onto a 6"-piece of 22-ga. Wire. Insert the wire into the holes in the mesh and the corresponding tape holes. (Fig. 5) Twist to secure on the back and trim excess wire. Repeat on the second side.
- Repeat step 10 to attach the six-hole piece of tape to the base of the large mesh photo.
- Attach the top of the second mesh photo to the six-hole tape as described in step 10. In the same way, attach the base of the second mesh photo to the five-hole tape, stringing one Small Rainbow Metallic Bead and three gold rounds.
- Use three gold rounds to attach the top of the third mesh image to the five-hole tape piece.
- String one gold round, one Small Rainbow Metallic Bead, and one gold round on an 8"-piece of 22-ga. Wire. Position at the center bottom of the last image and mark a hole at each end of the beaded segments with a T pin. Insert wire ends through mesh to back side. Position the top hole of the four-hole tape at the base of the mesh, passing wire through the top hole. String three gold rounds onto each side. Insert wire ends through previous holes to the back. Twist wire ends to secure and trim excess wire.
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Fig.1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4a
Fig. 4b
Fig. 5
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