October is just round the corner.  Yes, it is that time of year!  This year, I got to put together my very own fun Halloween laser cut wood collection.  They are sized for statement earrings or pendants.  You can also use it for decor purposes.

As you can see, there are 10 round frame designs with familiar Halloween elements - witch, hissing cat, pumpkin, witch hat, ghost, spider web, spider, bat, haunted house and a skull.




I also cut the skull without the frame as I thought people who celebrate Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) might  appreciate this supply.


Painting laser cut wood is really easy.  You can see my past post on How to Sand, Stain, Paint and Seal Laser Cut Jewelry Designs for more details.  But I thought I would show how I obtained the popular "tombstone" effect - a silvery tone over black. Along the way, I hope to give you some inspirational ideas.   I am also offering  a 10 % introductory discount for just this week - until Sunday, October 6.

First of all, sand just the edges of the laser cut wood. This is to keep the high points of the wood grain which will help in the creation of the tombstone effect.

I used black acrylic paint on some pieces and Saman's water based wood stain in black on others. I find using a sponge brush covers the laser cut wood very quickly including reaching the inside. The disadvantage of water based stains is the time it takes to dry - about 1-2 hours.  I dry them by hanging the pieces on wooden skewers balanced across two objects.

I tend to color just the outside surfaces when I am using acrylic paint. Acrylic paint, provided you are not heavy handed with it, dries very fast - 20 mins.


Once the pieces are dry, metallic silver pigments can be added. My favorite way is to use the waxy Gilder's Paste in silver.  (See this post to safely rejuvenate any dried up Gilder's Paste).

Once I got some Gilder's Paste on my finger,  I very lightly brushed across the painted wood. The objective is to color only the high points of the wood. Do not press into the wood and do not make too many passes otherwise you will not get that tombstone effect.


The alternative is to use metallic silver acrylic paint. My favorite is the Sargent brand which is a set of different metallic paints.
This pair of acrylic painted earrings had a black base layer and then the silver metallic paint was lightly brushed on the spider's web. I painted the spider solidly silver. 

I like to pick out design elements and paint them differently.  The moon of the bat and moon laser cut wood could be painted with a Halloween bright orange or a more subdued metallic copper paint as I did. I have miniature paint brushes (like these) but you can recycle fine skin care or cosmetic brushes to use for detail work.


These skull earrings were thoroughly burnished with Gilder's Paste in silver. Alternatively, use metallic silver acrylic paint.


I think it is fun to put together different designs for earrings but you could also wear them conventionally paired like these Witch Hat earrings. 


The most colorful pair was the Ghost and Pumpkin one where the bright orange contrasted well with the silvery ghost and the tombstone effect frame!

I thought the Bat and Moon one went well with the Haunted House!

I have shown the designs as earrings. But you can opt to wear just one as a pendant.  Please see this post on how to Stop Clasps from Moving to Necklace Fronts! 



You can also use the wood cuts as decorative elements for some Halloween fun.  Perhaps a garland or in a Fall wreath?  I recommend sealing the painted wood with a protective layer like a spray varnish  if they are going to be outdoors.

I have decorated my Fall wreath on my front door with my designs but these are not wood.  Find out more later this week!


Photography
I used  my iPhone 8+ for final product photography in natural light. I used  the Orangemonkie studio which comes equipped with LED lights - for artificial light photography in my windowless basement studio. The Foldio2 Plus is excellent . I use the Foldio3 because I need the room for tutorial photography.

My online class Easy Guide to Smartphone Jewelry Photography is now available. Read more about it here.  

Before You Go:

Disclosure
This blog may contain affiliate links. 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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