Instructions:
Cover your work surface. For just about all of my projects, I use wax paper to cover my table. It's cheap and a roll lasts a long, long time. Since I craft just about every day, that says a lot. :)
Select your component. I used one similar to the one pictured below:
Ideally, you will colorize you metal before you attach any embellishments to it. However, I had already attached my cabochon of the Virgin Mary to my component before I decided to colorize it.
I knew that I wanted to use colors that complemented my portrait, and I wanted them to be metallic. I didn't have any metallic red colors that suited me, so I made my own using Ceramcoat Acrylic Metallic Gold paint and Pearl-Ex Russet Red powder.
Squeeze a drop of paint onto the work surface. Use a dry brush and scoop a small mound of Pearl-Ex onto the drop of paint. (Use more or less depending on the look you want. I wanted a deeper, richer color, so I added powder and mixed until I achieved the results I wanted.)
This is what my paint looked like after I achieved the desired color:
Use the paintbrush to add details to your component. I used red on my flowers:
and Dark Patina green on my leaves and stems.
(I used DecoArt Dazzling Metallics for the green color.) Let the paint dry. Not shown: To ensure your painted piece will not flake, lightly brush the colored areas with clear nail polish and let it dry for at least an hour.
I still wanted more depth to my bracelet, so I attached flat-backed Swarovski crystals to the center of each flower. I used G S Hypo-cement glue because it has a fast-grab, a precision applicator and it's virtually waterproof; I applied the crystals with tweezers.
Here is the finished component:
Now you can complete your bracelet. I attached a simple heavy bronze chain and lobster clasp to my bracelet, as I wanted it to be adjustable.
Please feel free to email me with pictures of your designs. I'd love to see what you make with this technique!
