DIY Network

Handcrafted Silver Leaf Necklace From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-107

	The finished necklace, complete with silver leaves!
	This technique can be adapted for any style of color of necklace -- and can even be used to created bracelets, earrings or pins.

Louise Duhamel joins Jackie Guerra to share a technique that adds a silver patina to real leaves.

Materials:

Leaves
Paper towels
Silver past art clay
Liver of sulfur, enamel powder
Pre-made necklace
Paintbrush
Metal spatula
T-pin
Wire brush
Ammonia (optional)
Distilled water
Kiln or torch

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

1. Select leaves (figure A) that aren't too "hairy" or "waxy". Wrap in wet paper towels to keep fresh. Carefully piere a hole in the leaf where you will add a jump ring later.

2. Add water and stir silver paste, then paint one coat on a few leaves (figure B). Allow to dry, then do 8-10 coats minimum. (The more coats the sturdier the leaves.)

3. Next, place leaves in kiln for approximately 10 minutes. When they turn a reddish hue, remove from kiln. (You can also use a torch at home, if you don’t have access to a kiln. )

4. Allow leaves to cool, then dip a leaf into a pre-mixed bowl of liver of sulfur and water. Immediately dip into a bowl of clear water (figure C). Each dip will cause the silver to turn a different hue, each time getting deeper until the silver turns black. To create a specific patina, brush certain areas of the silver with a wire brush before dipping. Spray a leaf with ammonia before dipping to create iridescent colors.

5. Add a jump ring through the hole in the leaf and attach it to your necklace.

RESOURCES :

Belle Armoire
Art to Wear Magazine
Website: www.bellearmoire.com

GUESTS :

Louise Duhamel
E-mail: enchante@adelphia.net
Website: www.LouiseDuhamel.com