Why not pick up some sand dollars on the beach your next trip and use them to display the memories you captured on your camera? 

I have always wanted to try picture transfer using Gel Medium and got the idea to try sand dollars with a beachy photograph.  I was happy to see that it works!  I tried two scenes that I printed out on inkjet paper.  My paper was a little thick (24lb) I think 20 pound paper would be easier to work with.

Step 1:  cover the sand dollar with a thick coat of gel medium.

Step 2:  Place the printed image face down and smooth the paper all around, if there are little creases, don’t worry, it will still be pretty when you are finished. NOW WAIT!  Set the sand dollar aside for at least 5 hours so the paper can dry completely from the outside to the inside.

Step #3 fill a bowl with water and get the paper wet and slowly and gently rub the printer paper off the sand dollar.  Keep rubbing the layers off until nothing rubs off…but don’t rub off the transfer!

 

This is how the sand dollars look before the inkjet paper is rubbed off.

After the paper is all rubbed off, the photo will look “vintage” and see through.  This photo was my first try and it had a crease and somehow I didn’t notice that I had some sand mixed with the transfer medium! Which gives it a grainy look.

Kids would be amazed to see themselves on a sand dollar!