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.

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.

Next, add a small amount of black.  Trust me on this....a little goes a LONG way.

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.

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

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....

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

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

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.