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A couple years ago I came across a bunch of craft projects I really wanted to learn how to do with Epoxy – tumblers, keychains, pens and badge reels to name a few. I did a bunch of research about how to use it and what the best products were to use and was very excited to try it out.
But then I began to see comments by other crafters about their allergic reactions to the epoxy, respiratory problems, rashes, and how much personal protective equipment should be worn when using any epoxy outside. I read it should definitely NOT be used in your home which is where I do all of my crafting. The danger of using it completely turned me off to doing it and I resigned myself to not ever being able to achieve the results I had hoped for.
Then I came across Crystalac products. They are water-based, non-toxic, and have very minimal fumes. At the same time, the products are easy to use and give the same great look and durability as epoxy or resin. I jumped right in and have made so many things with Crystalac finishes and I LOVE them.
Since my daughter recently asked me to make some badge reels so she could use them at her internship at a hospital in the pediatic unit, I thought it would be the perfect time to show you how I make the best customized badge reels with Crystalac and acrylic blanks.
I’ll show you how to add glitter to the background, how to use a Cricut if you wanted to add a vinyl design, and how to use UV DTF decals too.
Let’s jump right in!
Watch the video tutorial:
Supplies:
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I store my Grande' Finale in a condiment squeeze bottle so it is easy to squeeze out.
OR
Adhesive vinyl in the colors you need for your design
The Dr. Pepper SVG I used is no longer available but similar designs are available on Etsy.
Optional:
Start Making Crystalac Badge Reels:
Peel off the protective layer on ONE side of the acrylic blank. Leave the other on to protect the back until you’re done.
Use a small piece of tape to adhere a popsicle stick to the back of the badge reel (the side with the protective cover still on). This will make it easier to pick it up and work on it without touching the front.
Sand the uncovered acrylic with 220 grit sandpaper. You need to scuff up the entire front surface of the acrylic blank.
Next, use rubbing alcohol to wipe the acrylic to remove any dirt, dust, sanded acrylic and oils that may have transferred from your fingers. I like to use a coffee filter for this step because it doesn't leave little fuzzy fibers behind.
Use a wet paintbrush to apply Crystalac Glitter Glue to the acrylic in a thin layer.
Sprinkle fine or extra fine glitter over the whole thing. Shake off any excess and put it back in the bottle for later.
Let this dry for two hours.
I write down each time I add a layer of glue or topcoat so I don't forget and can keep track of when it's time to add another.
Time for a second layer of glitter. Using a wet paint brush again, apply glue over the top of the glitter gently so as not to rub off very much attached glitter. Some will come off and that’s ok. Sprinkle glitter back over the glue and shake off any excess.
Let this again dry for 2 hours.
The next step is to seal the glitter by applying another layer of glue with a wet paintbrush and letting it dry for two hours. This prevents the glitter from shifting around when you apply your topcoat.
Start Applying Layers of Topcoat:
Once it’s sealed, it’s time to begin adding layers of topcoat (the Grande' Finale). I use my bare finger to do this, but you could use gloves for this step. Squeeze on a small amount of the Grande’ Finale (GF) and rub it all over the glitter until you have a nice even coat.
You don’t want this to be too thick, but the whole surface should feel “slippery”. The goal is slippery, not sloppy. These first few layers will require more of the Grande’ Finale, so don’t be afraid to add a bit more to the surface.
Wait for two hours for this to dry. Repeat the process of applying Grande’ Finale two more times. We want to build up layers of the GF so the glittered acrylic is smooth. If it isn’t smooth before you apply vinyl or UV DTF you will see little glitter bumps behind your design.
After you have waited two hours for your third GF application to dry, bust out your 400-grit sandpaper.
I recommend wearing a sanding/dust mask for the next step just as you would to sand anything. I also do the sanding outside or in my garage.
LIGHTLY sand the glitter/GF. You don’t want to be too vigorous at this stage because you can sand the top of your glitter clean off. But at the same time, you need to begin smoothing the surface.
Now, run water over the sanded area to remove the dust. If you don’t remove it, that dust will be be trapped in the next layer of Grande’ Finale and make the end result cloudy. IMMEDIATELY after rinsing, completely dry the area.
Then it’s time for another round of GF layering. For here on forward you can sand after every three layers of GF. You want to keep adding layers and sanding until the acrylic is pretty smooth. This usually takes me a total of 6 layers. If it doesn’t feel smooth yet, continue adding layers and sanding every three.
Add Vinyl Designs to Badge Reels:
If it does feel smooth after your sixth layer, sand once more and then it’s time to apply the decal or vinyl to your badge reel. If you’re using vinyl and you purchased your blanks from Moxie Vinyl, they will send you an email with an upload of the design to use in Cricut Design Space.
Use that upload to get your design ready and then cut it out with your Cricut. Weed out any areas you don’t want like the background or the centers of letters.
Since these designs tend to be rather small because they are going on a small area, you might want to use the reverse weeding technique.
Cut a piece of transfer tape slightly larger than the design and BEFORE DOING ANY WEEDING ON YOUR CUT PIECE place the transfer tape over the top of it.
Scrape over the backing of the vinyl and then peel away the backing. You should be left with a block of the design that still has all of the pieces including background etc. Now use your weeding tool to remove the largest chunks of the vinyl you DON’T want and the middle of the letters. The transfer tape will hold the pieces you do want in place, so they don’t come up while weeding out areas you don’t want.
Transfer your design to the acrylic blank and it’s ready for the next steps.
Add Decals to Badge Reels:
If you are using a UV DTF transfers just peel the protective layer off the BACK of the transfer so the decal is affixed to the transfer tape on top, center it on your acrylic, and press down. Peel off the transfer tape it’s ready to go.
You will want to add at least a few layers of GF on top of the vinyl and the UV DTF so the edges aren’t ever going to peel up. I like my designs to feel completely smooth, so I apply another six layers for vinyl – sanding after every three layers – and at least three layers on top of decal transfers.
Finishing Crystalac Badge Reels:
Peel off the tape and popsicle stick and the protective paper you left on the back of the blank and if need be, clean up any areas where there is excess GF between sections of the acrylic with an X-Acto knife or Cricut TrueControl Blade.
All that’s left to do is glue the acrylic onto a badge reel. I use E6000 for this and let it dry for 6-8 hours or overnight.
Then those colorful, fun badge reels are ready to be put to work. Whether you’re using them yourself or giving them away, customized badge reels are a great way to bring some glitter and pizazz to an everyday, useful tool.
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Happy crafting!