DIY enamel jewelry looks store-bought

Published 9:08 am Friday, March 7, 2014

Carly J. Cais of Portland, Ore., makes clever enamel jewelry using craft store supplies and something new: Martha Stewart Crafts Jewelry Enamel and Enamel Activator.

The enamel paint lets you color metal jewelry pieces in two steps, far easier than traditional enameling, which involves kiln-drying the pieces.

“It looks like stuff you could buy in the store but still I made it myself,” she said.

First, clean the metal charms with alcohol. Then mix the paint (there are 10 colors) with the enamel activator and let it sit 2 to 3 minutes to thicken before applying it with a toothpick to the charm.

Allow the pieces to dry 24 hours to harden, and then assemble charms and filler pieces onto larger filigree squares for support.

Attach two jewelry toggles and a chain to the upper corners of the piece for wearing.

Detailed instructions with photos for the DIY Enamel Spring Flower Bib Necklace are at Cais’ blog, Chic Steals.