Making jewelry from old calendars

I admit it - I have a hard time throwing out old calendars, especially ones swirling with colors I love. But what to do with a drawer full of past years? Boy do I have the answer for you!

Upcycle your favorite calendars into colorful jewelry!

It’s so darn easy and what a fabulous way to spend an afternoon with good friends!

Supplies

Here’s what you’ll need:

A Colorful calendar (I’ve got you covered on this one)
Glass cabochon
- size and shape is up to you, but make sure you find a cabochon tray to match
Cabochon tray
- pendants are lovely for simple necklaces and earrings, or choose filigree edges if you want to attach pieces together into a more complex piece (you will need jump rings for this option)
Sharp pencil
Scissors or Exacto knife
Silicone mat (THIS is what I use)
Modge Podge
E-6000 glue
Tooth picks
Moist rag
Jump rings (optional)

How to make your jewelry

It’s so darn easy, the hardest part is figuring out which luscious pieces of color you want!

I move my glass around the pages until I find a spot that I love

NOTE: Little pieces between the dates are perfect for earrings, connectors etc like this 25x18 oval cab that I plan to turn into a ring

2. Trace around the glass cabochon with a pencil

3. Cut it out with sharp scissors or Exacto knife

4. Using a toothpick, smear Modge Podge over the surface of the paper and cabochon. Make sure to protect your work table with the silicone mat.

5. Make sure Modge Podge covers all surfaces of both paper and flat side of the cabochon (I use my fingers - that’s what the damp rag is for!)

6. Set paper on top of cabochon then flip over and using slight pressure, force air bubbles out to the edges. Don’t worry about the bulges of glue around the edges - it will easily peal up from the silicone mat.

NOTE: all those little bubbles will show up as reflective bits when the glue dries, so make sure to press them out!

7. When glue dries (fully clear), trim excess paper and glue from around cabochon, then using a dob of E-6000 glue into the cabochon tray (you’ll want to open up some windows)

8. For pendants, simply hang as-is. Or create more elaborate jewelry using the filigree-edge cabochon trays and connecting them together with jump rings.