Monday, March 12, 2012

Enamel Accents Bottle Cap Charm

Several people asked about making the bottle cap charm that I used on this tag - Enamel Accents Embossed Tag. so I thought I'd share how I made it and a few tips and things I've learned along the way.

First off, Enamel Accents are available in only black and white (both bottles come in the same package) so you won't find any additional colors of it.  You'll find that the viscosity of EA is somewhere between Glossy Accents and Liquid Pearls.  It's not quite as runny as GA but it's not nearly as thick as the LP's. 

Now, you know I'm a straight shooter....I'm going to tell you right up front this is very difficult to work with if you're trying to make a charm with a specific design.  If you're going with a free-form design you're all set but don't plan on making 2-3 or more charms and having them all turn out the same.   You're better off going into it without any set plans because in my experience you just never know how these things are going to turn out. 

If you do have a specific design in mind then plan ahead and take your time.  You must let each layer dry before adding the next.

Tips:

I can tell you that the White EA must be heavier than the Black EA because whenever I work on a design the White will sink underneath the Black. 

You need only a very tiny amount of Black EA because it will very easily over take the White EA ~ I'm sure it's got something to do with the above.

Plan on taking your time....I have found that it's easier to make a specific design if you let the EA's dry an hour+ or even completely between each layer.  I know that sounds like a very long drawn out process and it is but it's the only way I know to actually get a decent looking design.

If you try to rush it or use too much you'll end up with a black blob...you'll see what I'm talking about below.

On to the charm....

Start off with your smashed bottle cap...  You'll also need something to move the EA around with.  I have found a straight pin and a small Popsicle stick work well for this.
Enamel Accent Bottle Cap Charm 001

Fill your bottle cap with white EA.  Not clear to the top ...  you'll be adding additional EA so you want to leave yourself some room.  I let the white set for about an hour before the next step.
Enamel Accent Bottle Cap Charm 003

Next, add a small amount of black.  Trust me on this....a little goes a LONG way.
Enamel Accent Bottle Cap Charm 004

Move the Black EA around the bottle cap.  I start off moving larger qty's with the stick then move to the pin for finer details.
Enamel Accent Bottle Cap Charm 006

Now watch....  You see how small the black design is....

Enamel Accent Bottle Cap Charm 005

As it sets, it spreads....alot!   You'll notice I've added a bit of the White EA in the wet Black EA and used it to make a design in the center of the flower, this is to show you what happens when you rush it....
Enamel Accent Bottle Cap Charm 008

See how the black has spread and the white has all but disappeared...

Enamel Accent Bottle Cap Charm 011

Well, it completely disappears while the Black EA is still wet.

Enamel Accent Bottle Cap Charm 007

So it's a very good idea to let each layer dry quite a bit before moving onto the next.
Tomorrow I'll be back with the finished charms.

6 comments:

  1. This is really cool! Thank you for the tips! Also, I wanted to say that I got my die-cuts so quick! Thank you so much!! Love them! :)

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  2. Thanks for this tutorial. I have these enamels but have never used them. Love using bottle caps too so I'll give it a go. x

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  3. Thanks for the tips Roni!! I found EA a little difficult to work with, now I know why...lol. I just need a little more patience!

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  4. Thanks so much, Roni! I have a gift certificate at my LSS, so will definitely pick up some GE! Definitely something I can do!!

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  5. Those turned out cool looking! Wonder if the white could be tinted with dye/ink... I dont have any EA here to try out because i just dont do much with the black/white theme.

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  6. Thanks for all the pointers and reminding us to slow down. I know I am going to love this technique!

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Thanks for your thoughts and comments!