DIY Network

Eggshell Jewelry Crack into this great jewelry material. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-111

The eggs may be hard-boiled, but the jewelry is easy with this how-to from Michele Beschen

Sometimes your most satisfying creations are made from things you'd otherwise throw away—like this eggshell jewelry from B. Original host Michele Beschen.

She shows you how to harden up these fragile beauties, color them with nail polish and even drill them to accept jewelry hardware. Their gentle curves and rough edges give any piece a sophisticated, delicate feel.

Head to the fridge for your next jewelry material!

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Materials:

eggs
epoxy and hardener
small paintbrush
petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline)
ceramic tile
rotary drill
metallic nail polish
jump rings
clasp, earring hoops, other jewelry findings
decorative wire and beads (optional)

Note: Don't boil your eggs in advance—harvesting the shells works much better when the eggs are freshly boiled.

• Hard-boil eggs. As soon as the eggs are done, carefully peel off the shells and peel the thin layer of film from the inside of the shells.

• Break up shells into random pieces (figure A).

• Spread a layer of petroleum jelly onto a ceramic tile; your shells will rest here after they've been coated with a chemical hardener.

• Mix a small amount of your chemicals—2 parts epoxy to 1 part hardener—and apply to the shells with a small paintbrush (figure B). Place the coated shells on the tile to dry.

• Once the hardener is cured, shape your shell pieces. You can do this with cuticle scissors or other small scissors.

• Paint the shells with cheap, metallic nail polish (figure C). Don't make polish coats too thick; you can layer different colors for interesting effects.

• Carefully drill holes for your jump rings. Drill through the shell with the curve (from the "inside" out) or it will break (figure D).

• Use jump rings to connect your shell pieces to each other and to chains, beads and jewelry hardware (figure E). You also can wrap the shell pieces with wire for another interesting look.

You can use eggshells in any piece that won't get knocked around too much. And it can be fun watching people try to figure out what your great new jewelry is made of!

Check out some of Michele Beschen's own eggshell creations:

A sophisticated pendant...

delicate earrings...

and even a textured necklace.