This is a free tutorial about how to make Scrabble Tile Pendants. There are a number of other tutorials out there that are being sold, but I wanted to offer this one for free to help my fellow artists and crafters. If you find it useful, there is a virtual “tip jar” at the end of the tutorial.

By Jessi @ Albu Design

Revised October 1, 2011. I’ve been making jewelry using beadwork, wire work and occasionally silver work for many years. But I’m an illustrator/painter, too, and creating Scrabble tiles is a way to incorporate my illustration and painter side into my jewelry.

Plus, Scrabble tile pendants are fun to collect for commemorating events, giving as gifts, and cool conversation pieces.

So I started reading and researching and buying them. As I did this research, I began to accumulate a massive amount of glues, coatings, and other materials. I set out wanting to go non-toxic. That meant, right from the start, resin was out of the question. This was a hard decision to make, as nothing looks as crisp, perfect and beautiful, in my opinion, as resin. Plus, it dries to a glass-solid finish that is never in danger of changing.

I went to visit my friend, Jeanne, who is a photographer and artist, while she was working with resin. Gloves, masks, and an open garage door still didn’t take the smell away. And this was in the fall. What about winter? I couldn’t afford to install an exhaust system in my little home studio, so I just set my mind to finding a non-toxic alternative. It had to be out there.

So after many months of trial and error, and a closet full of materials, here is the method I use for successfully making Scrabble tile pendants.

Next: Materials

MATERIALS

I first used maroon colored Scrabble tiles, just because I happen to like darker woods. However, I’ve transitioned to natural light wood tiles. Why? Because when you need to file the edge of your pendant, you won’t have the maroon stain coming off the tile if you use the natural wood color.

Scrabble tiles are available on eBay, Etsy.com and through scouring garage sales and other sources for old Scrabble games. Or, you can go directly to the source and order them, brand new, from Hasbro (go to Hasbro.com and look under “replacement parts”).

Next, you’ll need pendant bails. I initiallly wanted to work with sterling silver, but silver plated bails are more cost effective and look great. My favorite place to buy is eBay, from seller “lytray.”

And, your art work. You can use any printed material (that’s not copyrighted, of course), cut into an approximately 18mm x 20mm rectangle (that’s the size of the light wood tiles I’ve been buying).

Finally, your glues and coating:

• Mod Podge Gloss-Lustre: available at most craft stores.
• Diamond Glaze (JudiKins): I’ve only been able to buy this online, either through sellers on Etsy.com or eBay.
• E6000 adhesive: this is available at most craft stores.

Next: Design