Notes: Photographs can be color or black and white. Our pictures were originally colored, but were copied black and white (figure A). It is a matter of choice.Steps:
1. Select photographs. There will be two back-to-back pictures used for each "charm," so 10 or 12 should be a good number.
2. Decide on the size of the charms. Ours are each 1-inch square. Cut a 1-inch square from an index card to use as your template (figure B).
3. Place the template over the selected photographs (figure C). Put aside those that fit. Enlarge or reduce the others to fit using a computer program. Print out all the pictures, including the ones that do not need adjusting, on matte-finish photo paper. The pictures can be printed straight on or at an angle with one of the corners at the top (figure D).
NOTE: If you do not have access to a computer/printer, take the snapshots to a photo shop and either print them out yourself or have someone help you. You can experiment on the black and white machine to get the right size, because it is so very inexpensive, but use the color machine for the final product, even if you are having the photos printed in black and white.
4. Cut all of the photos out and determine which ones will go back to back.
5. Cut the plastic into squares somewhat larger than the photos (figure E).
6. Peel the protective backing from one of the squares and place it on the table, sticky side up. Carefully press one of the pictures in the center. Be sure to place it face down! Rub with a bone folder to smooth and secure (figure F).
7. Cut the plastic to fit the photo exactly. Standard scissors can be used to do this (figure G). Repeat with all other pictures.
8. When you have applied plastic to all of the photographs, select which ones will be placed back to back. In each set, be certain that you have both pictures facing in the same direction (figure H).
9. Drill a small hole in the top center for the jump ring using a 1/16-inch drill bit. Remember to place the hole close enough to the top of the plastic so the jump ring will fit. If you use a battery-driven drill, you can hold it in one hand and drill with the other. If you need both hands for the drill, tape the photo to a piece of wood using painter's tape to hold it in place (figure I).
10. Insert jump rings through the holes in the photo charms and attach the photos to the bracelet, spacing them equal distances apart.
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