Like the look of enamel jewelry but don't know the technique?  Haven't yet learned how to make polymer clay bangles? AND you are short on time?  Well.  This tutorial is just for you.  It is a very easy washi tape bangle tutorial. Production line it and you could well solve your long Christmas list later this year!

Washi, which is paper made from certain plant fibers, was first made in Japan. Today, you can get all sorts of decorative paper tape, not necessarily from Japan. As you can see below, the pretty paper tapes are just as addictive as beads! The gold decorative accents suited the channel bangles I used.


The washi bangles I've seen are those where the tape has been wrapped all around a solid bangle.  I thought using channel bangles would be different. They would add a touch of elegance to washi jewelry.  These gorgeous antique fine silver plated and 24 carat gold plated channel bangles were courtesy of Nunn Design. You can buy them wholesale from them, a jewelry supplier or from here. These are their mid size ones. There are also wider channel bangles if you prefer.


The technique is basically single layer decoupage. You might want to add paper cut-outs if working on the wider channel bangles.

I used this water based polyurethane varnish and a small brush.


I actually used a scalpel but otherwise an Xacto knife will suffice along with a sharp pair of scissors. Some sort of burnishing tool is also handy - I used a pointed plastic tool typically used for clay work. You could try using a toothpick?


The adhesive of the washi tape I was using was not very strong. So I added a thin layer on part of the bangle to start with. Working in short sections is best.


I selected a washi tape that was wider than the bangle and pressed it on.  Do not stretch the paper otherwise you will get unwanted folds. It will take a little while to get it started.


End with a bit of an overlap.


Just make sure that the tape is securely on along the edge where the excess tape will be trimmed off.


Cut off the excess tape neatly.


Run the tool along the edge again. Make sure there are no air bubbles or folds.


If you got a little of the varnish elsewhere, the clean-up is easy. I just used a cotton tip and rubbing alcohol. The cotton tip is good for running along the raised rim of the bangle.


Then carefully apply another 2-3 thin coats of the varnish, drying in between layers.


As the varnish I used is fast drying, it didn't take long - about an hour or so.


Mod Podge also works which I used for the other two bracelets.  One of the easiest projects ever!





Photography
I used natural light, my iPhone 6S with the ProCamera app and the Modahaus TS400 tabletop studio. The tutorial photos were taken with artificial light in my windowless basement studio.  Check out my How to Photograph Jewelry Webinar .

Disclosure
I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
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