I am starting a fun iPhone case project series. Each phone case project will have a different look and style with complete instructions on how to create your own. We will have a new iphone case project at least once a month so check back often. The first in my series is the "Queen Bee" iPhone case. I have a thing for bumblebees so when I saw this queen bee pendant at Michaels I knew it had to go onto a phone case. The great thing about this particular project is that it is made with supplies found locally at Michaels. While you can find lots of inexpensive embellishments on Etsy and Ebay, sometimes its nice to start a project without having to order and wait for supplies to be shipped. You can use this same project for any brand phone cover as long as it's hard plastic. You can also make ipod covers this way. For those of you who don't want to make one, I will be selling my iphone cases on Etsy. The link will be on my site shortly.
For this project you will need:
Blank hard plastic phone case- I found mine at the Dollar Tree store. I used a black one for this design. I also saw them at the local UPS store. You can also purchase blank cases on Etsy.com, and Ebay.com.
E 6000 Glue or GS Hypo Cement- I personally use E6000 so it is what I recommend, but some crafters prefer GS Hypo. Give both a try!
Bee Pendant- The pendant is Art-i-Cake brand found at Michaels. (I used my 40% off coupon on it). You can use any artsy pendant of course. Just make sure it has a good flat back for gluing.
Flat Back Plastic embellishments- This is where you get creative. I found the button and clock plastic dimensional stickers from Archivers scrapbook store. Check the scrapbook aisles at the craft stores for similar. You peel the adhesive strip off the back before gluing.
I also used Artminds brand silver glittery plastic cabochons found at Michaels. They have a ton to choose from. They were in a whole different area than the stickers and rhinestones however. You may have to search the store a little to find them.
Flat Back Acrylic Gems- I used clear colored Jewelry Essentials Brand from Michael's.
Gem Pick Up Tool- I use a waxy pencil (the gems stick to the tip), but they also sell a gem pick up tool in the scrapbook section.
Toothpick
*Artminds brand plastic embellishments from Michael's.
*Many styles and colors to choose from.
*The bee pendant is Art-i-cakes brand from Michael's. I used my 40% off coupon on it. You can see they have lots of other cool pendants to choose from.
To get started remove the bale from your bee pendant. Use wire snips. If the edge is still rough (mine wasn't) use an emory board to smooth it.
Angle your pendant across the front of the phone cover and glue it down.
Add your plastic embellishments and glue.
*Lay your embellishments out on the phone cover before you glue down. This way you can change your mind before it is permanent. For example I changed my mind and didn't use the flower.
If you are using any plastic stickers as embellishments (the clock for example) remove the adhesive back so you are gluing the plastic back directly to the phone cover (and not the adhesive sticker).
Once you are satisfied with the placement of your embellishments you can start filling in the rest of the case with acrylic flat back gems.
Take a toothpick and spread a couple inches of E6000 glue. Work in small areas as the glue dries quickly.
Use a gem pick up tool (I use a wax pencil) and carefully pick up and place the gems onto the glue. You can move the gems around for a few minutes if you change your mind, but they will set within 5 minutes.
Continue doing this until your phone front is covered. Let dry one hour before finishing the sides.
Try out gem sizes along the side until you find an arrangement you like. I used medium sized gems straight down the middle, and little on the sides for this particular case.
Just like the front of the phone case work only a couple inches at a time.
Once you have your main row of gems fill in the remainder with tiny gems.
Let your case dry 24 hours before using. Enjoy! They make great gifts!
More iphone case projects to come. Sign up by email so you never miss one.
XOX,
The Rebel Crafter
I use Nerium.
Check out the video, it is a great night cream:
