The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
on “Daily Joy”:“I adore this!! Everything about it...the thoughts behind it...the simplicity of it...one of my favorite words.…” read »
on “Daily Joy”:“This is so meaningful! It is so easily worn even after we get out of…” read »
on “Cool Spring Hues”:“I echo your thoughts and feelings. Haven't made much...really anything until today. Needed a boost…” read »
on “Cool Spring Hues”:“So pretty. The colors work so well together and the design is lovely. - Great for…” read »
on “Sunkissed Wildflower Necklace”:“Elaina at Lima The problem I have is when I am trying to make links with…” read »
- on “Cool Spring Hues”:
“Outstanding necklace! The texture and varied sizes and beads make this so marvelous.…” read »
- on “Cool Spring Hues”:
“This is beautiful. I love the chunky, rondellieness (not a word!, but is a big part…” read »
- on “Tangerine Dreams”:
“oops - I meant tangerine not yellow...…” read »
- on “Tangerine Dreams”:
“Thanks kye. I put a row of the yellow beads on each side of the earrings…” read »
on “Spring Crescent”:“So cute!! A little taste of spring....…” read »
on “Ugly Bead Bracelet and Earrings Set”:“We don't normally see "ugly" in a title. Ha. I like what you did. Way to…” read »
- on “Tangerine Dreams”:
“This is such a beautiful set. Love the tangerine color and design. I especially like those…” read »
- on “RUBY SET”:
“So very pretty! My mom was a July baby also. I have a collection…” read »
on “RUBY SET”:“Gorgeous. What month is ruby?…” read »
on “Cactus Blossom Necklace”:“Great design, and I adore your model!…” read »
- on “RUBY SET”:
“HH - so pretty - Is this an early birthday present?…” read »
- on “Tangerine Dreams”:
“Thank you all so much. I'm growing tired of the cold. Found the tangerine beads cheerful.…” read »
on “Tangerine Dreams”:“I like the pendant and the lay of the necklace looks great.…” read »
on “Spring Crescent”:“I LOVE this! <3…” read »
- on “Tangerine Dreams”:
“Gorgeous!! I love your happy tangerine color!…” read »
- on “Tangerine Dreams”:
“Stupendous! The color is so perfect for tangerines. I love the "pendant" and earrings.…” read »
on “Sunkissed Wildflower Necklace”:“I just LOVE this !!!…” read »
- on “Tangerine Dreams”:
“This definitely reminds me of tangerines. It's a beautiful color. Also, I love the unique pendant…” read »
- on “Tangerine Dreams”:
“Oh wow !!! This is soooo beautiful!! A lot of work went into this !!…” read »
- on “Ugly Bead Bracelet and Earrings Set”:
“Ha KR - I have so many unfinished pieces also - maybe we should just sew…” read »
- on “Ugly Bead Bracelet and Earrings Set”:
“Thanks to everyone for your nice comments. I know you all have ugly beads too. Here's…” read »
on “Peach Mojito Necklace”:“Granny Nancy- To make a double strand without using a clasp the length should be about…” read »
on “Ugly Bead Bracelet and Earrings Set”:“I think we all,have those "oh my God what the heck was I thinking!" Things in…” read »
- on “strange new worlds”:
“Nice show! <3…” read »
- on “Ugly Bead Bracelet and Earrings Set”:
“The beads are pretty on their own in their own way. You changed them into…” read »
- on “Ugly Bead Bracelet and Earrings Set”:
“Forgot to mention the earrings. So elegant.…” read »
on “Ugly Bead Bracelet and Earrings Set”:“You've dressed up your "ugly" beads very nicely! Now they're swans!…” read »
- on “Ugly Bead Bracelet and Earrings Set”:
“So pretty KR. Actually, I love the muted gray, pink, mauve color of the beads. And…” read »
- on “Ugly Bead Bracelet and Earrings Set”:
“The set looks good on the front and the back. It reminds me of the Elizabethian-cameo-choker…” read »
on “Rosary Necklace”:“I have 2 crosses I wear as an expression of my Faith. One was originally given…” read »
- on “Sunkissed Wildflower Necklace”:
“Thanks everyone for your feedback, I'm so glad you like it! : )…” read »
- on “Sunkissed Wildflower Necklace”:
“doglover72- I added a link at the end of Step 1 on how to make a…” read »
- on “Sunkissed Wildflower Necklace”:
“doglover72- The links shouldn't bend under normal wear so straightening after assembly should work. I would…” read »
- on “Sunkissed Wildflower Necklace”:
“I always like your designs, but this one is really gorgeous! I can't wait until my…” read »
Hidden Treasures
About this design:
I just love these vintage looking lockets, and I'm in a real gunmetal phase right now, so when I started experimenting with Gilders Paste, I thought I'd see what it would do to gunmetal. This was one of my first projects with the Gilders Paste, and I'm really happy with the results. I liked the idea of old and crusty meets something amazing like the tiny seed pearls.
Buy the supplies:
The products in this design are listed below.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: You're going to want to prep all of your pieces. I added color to two Stampt gears for the inside of the locket as well as the locket itself, you may want to layer gears inside the locket, so decide how many you want and scratch the surfaces up with some fine to medium grit sand paper or a foam sanding block. The block is my favorite, as you can really get into crevices and corners with it. Scratch the surface as little or as much as you like. The more texture you give it, the better the paste will color the metal. For the outside of the locket, I was very gentle with it. You can easily remove all of the coating. I just highlighted some of the raised part on the filigree by gently brushing them with the foam block, but the back I textured more heavily. |
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Step 2: There are many ways to apply Gilders Paste. For the chunky look I attained on the gears, I put it on really thick with a stiff-bristled cheap paint brush - then brushed some off and left it in places I wanted it. I let it dry for about 12 hours and then rubbed it with a soft cloth to even out the texture and give it the finished look. For the locket, I started with the Rich Gold Gilders Paste and a soft cloth and gently highlighted both the front and back of the piece. If you use a small amount on a cloth, you can intensify the color with layers or by going over it again. Since I knew I wanted the gunmetal to still show through - I was conservative on this step. |
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Step 3: Before the locket was cured, I went over the Rich Gold with a very small amount of Coral Red. The good thing about using the soft cloth is you can polish as you go and see just what the final look will be. You should still let the piece cure for 12 hours, as the paste can rub off - but you can achieve the look you want almost instantly! |
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Step 4: Arrange the gears and seed pearls in a way that appeals to your eye. These little guys can get away from you, I found a head pin or toothpick helpful when arranging everything. |
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Step 5: Prepare your Lima Studios resin by carefully mixing equal parts of the resin and hardener. Using a clean stir stick, pour small amounts of the resin into the locket well. Be VERY CAREFUL not to get any resin in the mechanism that releases the locket. I may or may not have learned this tip by experience. . . At this point you will want to move any stray pearls back into their place, make sure the gears are just where you want them, and pop any obvious bubbles with your pin or toothpick. |
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Step 6: After 24 hours your treasure should be ready to string. I thought this one came out so nicely, I didn't want to take away from it with beads. I have it strung on our 1" old ivory velvet ribbon with no ends so I can just tie it in a bow behind my neck or change it out for a gunmetal chain if I choose to. |
Buy Products from this Design
You are viewing all 2 items.
| Piece | $0.30 |
| 1 oz (30ml) | $11.70 |
You are viewing all 2 items.
On Jun 05, 2011 at 12:50 pm #
Orchid Betty says:Love the effect you gave to the gunmetal, it transformed it into a risher look!
On Jun 05, 2011 at 7:54 pm #
trinkets says:A beautiful job Rebecca!
I love the seed pearls with the gears, so different ~
On Jun 08, 2011 at 9:18 pm #
F Selinger says:FranMade is handmade. Custom designed jewelry just for you. The tropical you. The bling-bling you. The casual, yet elegant you.
On Jun 08, 2011 at 9:20 pm #
F Selinger says:Oops. I thought I was posting in my profile. Sorry to blast retail at you.
Yes, I’m new here. The work you put into this piece was well worth it.
On Jun 15, 2011 at 9:56 pm #
Reet says:Cool! Thanks for step-by -step instruction.
On Mar 09, 2012 at 10:33 pm #
Butterfly girl says:beauty is defnatly in the eye of the beholder an me to i really love this i am new at the jewlrey makeing scene I have a incurabel deseae Behcets an cant do alot of my crafts i used to so trying to find something that might be easier on my hands an the step by step instruction absoltly help thank you keep up the beauyiful work.
On Mar 15, 2012 at 11:13 pm #
S Rubino says:This piece totally inspires me. I have been wanting to try something new and your step by step instructions make me think I can really create something unique. Thank you!
On Dec 06, 2012 at 10:50 am #
Altered Artist says:This is totally a beautiful piece and I love that you share the products that go into it. I was wondering where I might purchase the actual locket.
On Jan 10, 2013 at 2:15 am #
doggiedoodoo says:I am a BIG fan of contrasts, old/new, shiny/patina, pearl/metal, I never would have thought of filling a locket with resin and “treasures” cuz I’m also a big fan of family photos LOL BUT what an idea for a bezel pendant hanging within a frame.
On May 15, 2013 at 8:56 pm #
SilverCords aka Judy says:Stunning piece! Classic and simple!
On Sep 19, 2013 at 8:48 pm #
Mustard Seed Beads says:Beautiful…..thanks for sharing.
On Apr 21, 2015 at 2:07 pm #
Carlareid4 says:Gorgeous!:)
On Jul 01, 2016 at 11:46 am #
C Wathen says:Likw your designs and having the directions are nice.