Tips & Techniques
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
on “Using the Wire Twister Tool”:“Interesting tool,but I find my power drill works fast and you can put multi wires in…” read »
on “Wire Wrapped Cover on a Teardrop”:“Looks great, KRode!…” read »
on “Vintaj Metallic Patina effects”:“I plan to buy these products. I love the way the Patina looks and these videos…” read »
on “Wire Wrapped Cover on a Teardrop”:“I like the messy version and the regular one depending on the look of the piece.…” read »
on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:“k ty…” read »
- on “How to use McLees Multi Strand Clasp”:
“I'm interested in getting the paper bead making kit and one of the brass or bronze…” read »
on “Using the Wire Twister Tool”:“I love the tool and it's a great video! Thanks for all the helpful videos! Wire gauges…” read »
on “Using Lillypilly Metal Sheets & Discs”:“Just checked into the larger sheets. It doesn't appear that we'll be able to get 6x6,…” read »
- on “Make a Wire Wrapped Bead Link”:
“Thank you. E.W.…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“if you're looking for a quick easy glue option, the hypo cement or LimaStudios tends to…” read »
- on “Making a Memory Wire bracelet”:
“Dutchy-- My favorites are the hypo cement or our very own LimaStudios epoxy: http://www.limabeads.com/Adhesives-C3769…” read »
- on “Making a Memory Wire bracelet”:
“I'm new to jewelry making and have so much to learn. You mentioned using glue at…” read »
- on “Tying a Lark's Head Knot”:
“Thanks so much! My Mom picked up some beautiful donut pendants for me and I…” read »
- on “How to make a paper bead”:
“I recently made 2 necklaces w/matching earrings with my first paper beads.sold both sets within a…” read »
- on “How to make a paper bead”:
“I,too, would like to know when you have these kits back in stock. Thanks!!…” read »
on “Decorivets!”:“This is a great tutorial; to the point and simply put.…” read »
- on “How to make a paper bead”:
“I want to try making the paper beads.When will the kit be back in stock?Can you…” read »
- on “Stamping Blanks”:
“Want to start doing this.Really like this.Only site that I have found the supplies.Thanks Lima Beads!…” read »
- on “Non-Identical Twins”:
“I love this idea!…” read »
on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:“I can't wait to try this, I just need to get the right supplies. I have…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Also I found awesome buttons for ten cent each at a local thrift shop…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“This is really cute! love the frog. I'm going to try this for the first time…” read »
on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:“I made a second bracelet using purple fishing line and no needle. I had started…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“nice n easy,thanks for that vedeo…” read »
- on “How to make a paper bead”:
“I would like to try making paper beads.…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“i really like the video but cannot stand the music in the background. i find it…” read »
- on “Using Lillypilly Metal Sheets & Discs”:
“how about larger sheets?…” read »
- on “Making a Fish Tail Braid”:
“Very instructive. Very pretty…” read »
- on “Melting Pot Basics”:
“where are all the eggs i'v been on here alday today and havent found not evon…” read »
on “Stamping Blanks”:“I am new to this as well, I am using a hammer from the hardware store…” read »
- on “Using Paint Dabbers”:
“LOVE LOVE LOVE this site. Being a rookie metal stamper this site has provided me with…” read »
- on “Make a Birthstone Pendant”:
“This is such a great idea to "personalize" for craft fairs. I could make these up…” read »
- on “Using the Sliding Square Knot”:
“I'm excited to see this demo! I bought a bracelet that was finished this way and…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Carola, We do offer a couple of thread conditioners: http://www.limabeads.com/Thread-Conditioners-C4791 TOHO or C-lon thread is great for seed…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Also, do you need to separate the plys, as one would do in an embroidery skein,…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Could you just include in the written instructions, under the video, the list for the suggestions…” read »
- on “Setting Rivets with Anvil & Setter Tools”:
“I am just now starting to work with leather. Can't wait to learn these ideas.…” read »
- on “How to make a paper bead”:
“do you have patterns for other shape beads? Or where can I find that?…” read »
on “Creating a Leather Link”:“This makes such a professional-looking component!…” read »
on “Sealing Porous Materials for Use in Resin”:“very cool design…” read »
Vintaj Patinas are opaque inks specially formulated by Ranger to adhere to metal and create beautiful, durable patina effects. Available in a palette of 15 hues, they can be blended and layered for endless results. Sold in sets of three, the color combinations were developed to emulate natural patinas that would occur over time.
Watch the following video to learn how to use Vintaj Patinas:
Patina Tips and Tricks
- The patinas are formulated to be permanent on metal–no sealing is necessary. To keep the color from lightening naturally with time, you can seal it if you want.
- A little goes a long way… start with a small dab of patina.
- The patina colors are blendable, so mix them to create a natural look
- Use a paintbrush to apply the patina–and wash your brush with water right away
- Don’t dilute the patinas with water. Instead, dilute them with the Vintaj glaze to create a washed look.
Using the Vintaj Glaze
The Vintaj Glaze can be used as a sealer (to preserve the patina color), or as a patina extender to dilute your colors and create a washed look. While the patinas are permanent on metal and don’t require sealing, keep in mind that everything has a tendency to lighten with wear over time. If you want to preserve the look of your patina, seal your piece with a glaze after it finishes drying and after using the metal reliefing block.
What do I need to get started?
To begin creating your own designs with the Vintaj patinas, you’ll need a few things:
- One or more of the Vintaj Patina kits
- A metal reliefing block if you want to expose some of the metal underneath your patina finish
- Metal pieces to patina. Try Vintaj Brass, African Brass, or other metal beads, charms, or pendants.
- You may want to use the Vintaj glaze to extend or seal your patina colors.
- You’ll need some basics like craft paper, water, and a paintbrush to apply your patina.
Gallery
We applied the Vintaj Patinas to a selection of metal beads and charms and loved the results! We were super impressed with how easily the patinas covered the metal with a single coat.
We hope you love the Vintaj Patinas as much as we do. You can share your own patina designs in our Design Gallery… we’d love to see what you come up with!
Buy Products from this Technique
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| 2 oz. bottle | $8.70 |
| Piece | $4.70 |
You are viewing all 7 items.
On Mar 15, 2012 at 4:25 pm #
Zoraida b says:This product looks great! I like that the patina color does not need to be sealed and that it uses water as a clean up. I will definitely be ordering these kits!
On Mar 21, 2012 at 1:13 pm #
Dragons Chicky says:This was a very nice tutorial
. Gave me lota of ideas! Thanks Lima!
On Mar 22, 2012 at 8:35 am #
CAS says:I got the Rusted Hardware set … love it!! I already have the Retro Highway and Victorian Gable sets in my basket.
Super easy to use, cleans up in a jiffy, great looking plain or mixed. I used it to color Aluminum adhesive tape I used to cover the edges of a “microscope slide” pendant. It came out great and all I needed was a couple of drops of paint.
On Mar 27, 2012 at 6:15 am #
Mixed Kreations says:Oh I like this. You could do all kinds of neat things with these. Simple to do, comes in lots of great colors and easy clean.
Thanks for sharing.
On Mar 29, 2012 at 2:04 am #
beaded banana says:Just played with my new colors. Must remember to make sure my patina dries b4 adding glaze next time.
On Apr 08, 2012 at 5:15 pm #
beaded banana says:I am in love with the patinas! But I have a question…what other kinds of metal can’t use them on? Will they work on something silver plated, or with an antique gold finish? Does it stick to straight metal only, or metal which has already been coated?
On Apr 09, 2012 at 11:04 am #
Ali says:I have worked with these patinas on Green Girl Studios pewter, TierraCast, Vintaj Natural Brass & Arte Metal, African Brass, our blanks, and Lipstick Ranch iron (see all above). When these patina inks are completely dry, they don’t come off. I have tried scratching with my nail, rubbing on other beads … the only way to remove some is by using sand paper or the Vintaj reliefing block. When it comes to coated metal, I think it is just going to have to be trial an error depending on how thick the coating is and what the coating is. The patina inks are made to bond directly with metal, however with that said, the Lipstick Ranch pieces have all been triple coated to prevent further rusting and the patina inks are holding up just like any other piece. I am so happy with this new product, I think I might even use it on my switch plates at home
On Apr 10, 2012 at 2:25 pm #
beaded banana says:I have been playing around and so far so good. I even colored some mushroom door handles from Anthropologie. I will post pictures later.
On Apr 12, 2012 at 2:36 pm #
Laura Z aka Veggie Chick says:Here I am, ready to go. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I am using the “Rusted Hardware” set on a Vintaj Arte Metal Etruscan Antiquity Pendant. I think it will turn out gorgeous. Here goes………
On Apr 22, 2012 at 10:39 am #
Leena P says:Does anyone have an idea on how fast the colors will wear off /lighten if I don’t use the glaze to seal them? Can I use silver lacquer (stuff that smells like really strong nail polish and is used to stop copper /brass from tarnishing) to seal the patina?
On May 01, 2012 at 4:14 pm #
Linny May says:This looks awesome !!! I can’t wait to to try it out …***squeels *** NEW CRAFTING IDEARS…. overwhelming Excitment !!
On Jul 29, 2012 at 9:25 am #
D Kinsel says:Where can I find the copper wire at Home Depot? What about sheets? I’ve never worked with this medium before.
Thanks!
On Aug 02, 2012 at 1:06 am #
ckbmccune says:I am so pleased with my order. I received it in record time. I ordered on Monday and got it on Wednesday.WOW. The order is perfect. Thank you so much. I am going to try the VINTAJ patina painting on PMC+ after I experiment on my beautiful brass beads. I ordered all the paints and a bunch of beads. I am so excited. Staying up late tonight. Will send photos if I can figure out how to do it.
On Aug 07, 2012 at 3:13 pm #
Kate says:@D Kinsel– if you type “copper wire” into the search box on our website, it should pull up several varying gauges/sizes of beading wire! Same goes for “copper blanks”!
On Sep 04, 2012 at 7:52 pm #
Reba G says:Really Neat. I Get A lot of Ideas. I have learned
a lot today. I liked the knotting of the bracelets best. I would like to learn how to do
knotting….
Thanks, Reba G….
On Sep 05, 2012 at 8:34 am #
Kate says:@RebaG: we just added this simple leather cord bracelet that uses a basic knotting technique..check it out! http://www.limabeads.com/Simpl.....acelet-T59
On Dec 09, 2012 at 11:38 pm #
Lynda W says:that looks very doable, and very interesting. Thanks, Lynda
On Feb 09, 2013 at 10:48 pm #
Melissa A M says:Can’t wait to try this!
On Feb 21, 2013 at 5:01 pm #
D Mellish says:Any thoughts on using the Vintaz patinas or inks on polymer clay? Or is there an alternative product for this?
On Feb 22, 2013 at 8:58 am #
Linny May says:I have the antuque window kit , and have the victoran gable kit and the gaze in my cart right now , I LOVE that there are now single colors you can get do you can make your own set of colors , and i love the colors , there all so bright ,and s pretty !!! i can’t wait to play !
On Feb 22, 2013 at 12:15 pm #
T Bagstad says:Most of the jewelry I make is with antique brass. I’m excited to add the patina to my charm bracelets. Will send a pic when I get one finished. Thanks for your info.
On Mar 07, 2013 at 1:53 pm #
Kate says:Vintaj patinas are specially formulated for metal… I’d suggest checking out Swellegant– the coat ANYTHING colorant!
http://www.limabeads.com/Swellegant-C7518