An old idea made new with the use of modern technology. Now that color copy machines or scanners are available to almost everyone, it is also possible to transfer photographs to stones. Slightly larger and heavier stones make grand paperweights. Smaller and lighter stones can just sit on dad's dresser or desk or in his pocket.
Materials
smooth stones
snapshots
polymer medium - either glossy or matte finish
brush for applying medium
waxed paper
Steps
- Have photos copied at color copy center or scan them and print on standard copy paper.
- Place color copies face up on top of a piece of waxed paper and tape to hold. Brush on a coating of the polymer medium onto the image. Allow to dry; usually takes about 30 minutes.
- Brush on a second coat of the medium, this time brushing in the opposite directions. Again, allow to dry.
- Repeat the coating process four or five more times, then set aside to dry overnight.
- When completely dry, place photo in a pan or sink of room temperature water with the photo side up. Soak pictures for anywhere from an hour to a day.
- Remove pictures one at a time from the water. If picture is cloudy, do not be concerned . It will clear when it is completely dry again. Place picture face down on countertop and rub off the paper on the back. Usually, it will rub off easily, but if some if it seems to stick, just keep rubbing. Wet your fingers from time to time if necessary or drop more water on the picture. When you think the back is completely rubbed off , set picture aside to completely dry. Sometimes, you will see that there is still more paper to be removed. In this case, simply wet it again and rub it a little bit more.
- Trim the picture as desired, then place on a light colored stone. When it seems to be the size and shape you want, brush over it with more of the medium. NOTE: If the stone is not very light, you can paint it with white or cream colored paint before adding the photo.
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