This week I have a rather lovely Efcolor project (even if I do say so myself!). I was really pleased with how simple and yet effective this technique is and I hope you like it too...
'Tipping the Scales'
Material List
Scales (from Jewellery Maker tv)
Efco Efcolor Powders - Colours + Clear Transparent
Efco Tealight Stove inc. tools (or kitchen oven)
Efco Metal Leaf (Annealed used here)
Metal Leaf pen (Staedtler) or size (Efco)
Stencil Brush
Jewellery findings - ear wires, eye pins, crystals, chain.
Jewellery Pliers, Flat Nosed Pliers & Wire cutters
If you are new to Efcolor enamelling then check out the info sheet available on Projects4Crafters.com!
Step 1.
Place your scales on U Strips and cover them with a layer of your chosen colour of Efcolor powder.
Step 2.
Use a spatula to place the scales on the top of the tealight stove. (You can use an ordinary kitchen oven but make sure it is set to 150ºC. Please note that you will have to purchase the Efcolor tools e.g. Spatula, Hot plate, separately if you don't use the tealight stove.)
Remove the scales from the heat once the powder has melted.
Step 3.
When cool, cover the scales with another thin layer of your background Efcolor powder. Before reheating apply 1-2 other colours over the bottom area of the scales. (I used light turquoise for the background and golden yellow fading to rose pink on the bottom area.)
Step 4.
Once the second layer of Efcolor powders has melted remove from the heat and allow to cool before applying a little metal leaf size over the bottom area below the hole. (You can use a pen or paint it on with a brush depending on which make you use.) Wait a few moments for the size to go tacky.
Step 5.
Lay a small piece of metal leaf over the size and pat it down. Use a stencil brush to 'scratch' off some of the metal leaf, giving it a distressed look. n.b. If you remove too much, just apply some more leaf and repeat the process, adding more size if necessary.
Step 6.
Cover the metal leaf with a thin layer of transparent Efcolor powder, before replacing the scales on the stove to heat. When the powder has melted, going transparent and glossy, remove the scales from the heat and allow to cool.
Step 7.
To make up the earrings, use eye pins to connect the scales to the ear wires. Thread on a crystal before turning a large loop using jewellery pliers. Trim the excess wire and straighten the loop, making sure that it is at 90º to the small eye at the other end. Temporarily open up the large loop to thread on the enamelled scale and the small loop to thread on the ear wire.
Step 8.
For the necklace you need to use another eye pin but this time make the loops at either end match up. Again use the large loop to attach the enamelled scale and use the small loop to attach the chain.
As you can see these are very simple to make and, if you are careful, there is no need to enamel the backs as the scales are curved meaning you are unlikely to get any stray enamel on the backs. The metal leaf embedded in the enamel will make your jewellery look very lush too!
If you've never tried enamelling before then do have a go at Efcolor cool enamelling as it is comparatively cheap and is also very versatile. Check out the enamelling pages on Projects4Crafters.com for more inspiration!
Happy Crafting!
