Vid #191: “Cindy, seriously, a yes for me on you teaching us how to make our own bracelet blanks!” ~Carolyn-F
Back in Vol-023 I demonstrated how common metal from the hardware store can be hammered and formed into beautiful jewelry bezels for your polymer clay and mixed media projects. In that video I also showed examples of some metal bracelet blanks. Since then, many of you have requested that I do a tutorial on this topic.
Cindy, I really like the surprise bracelets at the end of the video clip. Definite yes from me to include those metal blanks in a future tutorial. ~DJ
Another tute I’d like to see is a bracelet using the “galvanized flashing bracelet blanks” you ‘teased’ us with during the Hammered Metal Bezel tutorial. Metal adds a little something “extra” to polymer clay. And the idea to take it further, to make bracelet blanks is awesome. Thanks for your creativity, Cindy! ~Phaedrakat
Speaking of metal things. How about a tute on bracelets made from the materials used in the metal bezel tute? That would nice. P_L_E_A_S_E ??? ~Patt-W
Cindy: I would just like to add a vote for the bracelet blanks which look exciting and although I have successfully made bangles using only polymer clay and think the possibility of actually building a design on a flat base which become part of the bracelet looks full of possibilities. ~Susan-B
I also look forward to learning more about the bracelets. Always looking for more ways to make a new bracelet. I have purchased the bracelet blanks you can get at ebay and covered them with clay. You have to round the edges and sand them down but much fun to work with. Thank you again Cindy and Doug. Things just keep getting better and better every Friday. Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggs. ~Peggy-B
So… coming up on Friday, February 11th, 2011 (tomorrow), in Vol-033 at the Polymer Clay Video Library, I will teach you all how to make Hammered Metal Bracelet Blanks. So easily, and so inexpensively. For a few pennies and with just a few simple tools, you can turn any sheet metal into your own custom bracelet blanks… in any size you desire… whenever you need them for a project!
Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my weekly tutorials is that you have a good understanding of the polymer clay basics, including: conditioning clay, using a pasta machine, clay blade and other simple tools, making Skinner Blends or Teardrop Blends, baking clay, as well as sanding and finishing. If you need help in these areas, my Polymer Clay Beginners Course will get you up to speed quickly. There is also plenty of free information on this blog. Use the search box at the top of the page to find articles on specific topics.
Supplies & Tools: Video-033-2 Metal Bracelet Blanks:
- Heavier gauge sheet metal. I used galvanized steel flashing from Home Depot. You could also use Copper, Brass, Sterling, Aluminum or even an old cookie tin. You want it to be sturdy yet still flexible.
- Tin Snips or Aviator Snips.
- Metal File.
- Bench Block or piece of metal for hammering on.
- Chasing hammer with ball pein end.
- Pencil and Ruler.
- Steel Wool (optional).
- PYMII Preserve Your Memories II for sealing the metal (optional).
- Safety Glasses or other eye protection.
The full version of the Vid-033-2 Metal Bracelet Blanks video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday Feb 11th, 2011. But if you would like to see a sneak peek intro clip right now, scroll down the page a bit to the video player below.
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Here’s That “Link Below” Referred To at End of the Video
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the “Metal Bracelet Blanks” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-033 Back Issue Package.
Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
Hi Cindy, I read all the messages you send and I’m sure you get tired of hearing this over and over, but I can’t express how much I like getting my e-mail saying that another one of your videos is ready for viewing. I received the one about making the clasps, and I thought “no-no-no I want you to teach me polymer clay, not metal work”… but as usual, I watched it and it contained extra information I had not thought of and hadn’t learned in the class I took. I thought the same about the texture video… “I don’t use those and don’t like them” but after watching, I got all these other ideas that I could do. I checked out the Tim Holtz site mentioned somewhere in your site and got new ideas about stenciling and inks! Thanks so much for making these tutorials… they are definitely worth the money! ~Kim-E
With Cindy’s tutorials are very clear and you can go along with her every step. I think Cindy should give us what she thinks is best as I’m sure there will always be some who may not be so interested in a particular tutorial. Cindy is so talented and very professional and she would know what are good tutorials for us – what items would sell well etc. And her videos are so inexpensive. ~Cheryl-H
Cindy and Doug you deserve all the praise anyone could ever give you. Your teaching is first class and your costs worth every penny, or should I say cent (hardly know its gone from my bank its such a small amount). And Doug your video shots are so clear a true professional. Love you both. So come on you non-members, join us. You wont miss the price of a hot dog a month – that’s about what this costs and 100% more benefit. We are learning and having fun just chatting to each other so come and meet us as a member. ~Ritzs
The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Hammered Metal Bracelet Blanks video tutorial:
- See examples of several different hammered metal bracelet blanks done in a variety of sizes as well as a few examples which have been covered in polymer clay techniques.
- Discussion of the tools and materials that can be used for this project as well as tips and tricks to make the technique quicker and safer.
- Learn about how simple and quick it really is to create this cool looking finding for your polymer clay and mixed media bracelet projects.
- Plus, with some creativity and ingenuity there are many ways to come up with unique versions of your own.
The full version of the “Metal Bracelet Blanks” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-033 Back Issue Package.
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Wow, Cindy, it’s like you’ve read my mind again. I am very excited for this video and the next! I can see that this year is going to be just as good as last year. You just keep the creativity on coming!! Looking forward to tomorrow!!
Ooooooo, we finally get to learn how to do this, I just recently tried a bangle bracelet project I found while reading on another site, it came out reasonably well and I have a few ideas on how to improve on it, but THIS is the bracelet tutorial I’ve been waiting for
I just love bracelets ! Can’t imagine having tooooooooo many. Such interesting gifts too……..Bring it on. You are so creative and kind at the same time, what a gift you give us………….hugs
What a good idea. I’m wondering if the aluminum flashing is stiff enough to do this.
@Freda K: Yes, Aluminum is stiff enough I use it all the time..
As I was looking at the materials list, I’m wondering what gauge flashing are we talking about?
Oh this is going to be so much fun, I am gone till Monday. Weather is finally suppose to warm up and melt some of this snow. I wear more bracelets in the spring and summer than winter so maybe this will get me out of this winter slump. So thank you Cindy and Doug on many counts. I needed a tute like this one. Will watch at daughters house Friday and try it out on Tuesday. Many ideas a stiring already.
Many Uuuuuuuggggs, Peggy
Oh…another wow. I can’t wait to see how to do this.
Cindy – Thanks for replying to my email so quickly about my membership payment. I have renewed with the yearly option. Regarding the teaser video – when I’ve gone to your blog before, it’s always just been there. This morning it wasn’t – but maybe I was looking for it too early. In any event – it’s here for me now and as usual, this bracelet tutorial looks very interesting. I love all your videos – like everyone else it just makes my day to see what you’ve come up with.
I love the concept of making your own bracelets. My concern is that the
polymer will crack when the bracelet flexes. People will want to compress them to fit their arm better. What do you think?
Awesome! love it! I love when you create things from materials we can get from the hardware store.
Thanks again.
Hi Cindy, This video shows a great idea. I assume that some metal would be too thin and some too thick. What range of gauges would you recommend?
Thanks, Grace
Terrific!!! Will enjoy experimenting with this one. Can’t wait for next week to see your ideas for applying the clay.
First stop today-Home Depot! I love this!
Yup, Home Depot’s stock is definitely going up over this! Have always wanted to make a cuff/bangle. Yay!!
A shopping we shall go ! What a nifty tute. So simple -yet so effective…….
Now I can make lotssssssssss of cuff bracelets. One to go with my purple, orange, green Aurora Technique ……….yeh..YA DID IT AGAIN!!!!
Just watched the tutorial. How wonderful to be able to make our own beads,bracelet blanks, ear wires, clasps …… the whole piece of jewelry all handmade by us- thank you Cindy! I’ve been wanting to try this cuff bangle for so long. I have some zebra cane left over and also have some flashing. So I’m all set to go.
Fantastic, I have a question, do you have to attach the PC to the metal, could you not use the metal as a baking form and just have the clay be the bracelet?
@Ken H: Ken, I found Cindy is certainly correct about bracelets taking experimentation. If you use several layers of clay and sandwich sturdy wire inside for stability, they tend to be heavy, slightly adjustable, but not much. I could easily kill someone with that bracelet, lol.
On the other hand, I also tried 1 thick layer cut into a rectangle and just laid it around a glass bottle and baked it on the bottle. Now that one was light and very flexible, but looked very cheap and plastic. Ugh.
Maybe a happy medium? Cindy can correct me if I am wrong, but it seems the more clay you layer without a form or some sort of inner stabilization, the easier it would be for the finished, baked bracelet to crack and break.
@Becky C.: I personally *LIKE* thick, chunky cuff bracelets, so the style I make uses a brass bracelet blank as a form only. It effectively has two thickish layers of polymer clay with wire reinforcing sandwiched between them, and a thin decorative layer on top.
I don’t like the style with a single decorative layer of polymer clay on top of a metal blank myself, or the style where the blank is totally enclosed in thin layers of polymer clay to give a thin cuff either, so I don’t make them that way. Just a personal preference. ;)
But I think the clay that you use can be quite important in determining what construction methods are practical for keeping size and shape and not cracking. Kato can be cured until it’s very hard and very stiff (and still very strong), so I don’t have a problem with my wire-reinforced blankless style of cuff bracelet getting loose or getting damaged. However, I’ve never been able to cure Premo anywhere near as hard or stiff, so it wouldn’t work as well for the construction method I like and might require a blank (which I’d still enclose fully).
@Sue F: Thanks for sharing that info, Sue. I lean toward the kind of cuff you’ve described. Currently, I only use Premo, so it’s good to know in advance…instead of through trial and error…that it’s not a good idea to use Premo for a really thick cuff.
@Linda K.: I’m sure Premo would work fine for thick cuffs too, Linda! I just think you’re more likely to need the greater reinforcing provided by a(n enclosed) bracelet blank, commercial or home-made as Cindy demonstrates, than to be able to get away with just 2-3 reinforcing wires like I do when I use Kato.
It’s not for the strength exactly, since Premo is quite strong too, but for the ability to keep its shape. The blankless wired method lets me reuse my set of stiff brass blanks over and over again, saving me quite a bit of money, but if you can source or make suitable blanks inexpensively then that cost factor becomes a non-issue.
I hope you have fun making them, Linda! There are so many ways they can be decorated… for me it’s even more fun to make them than to wear them! LOL
@Sue F: Thanks for the clarification, Sue. I misunderstood your earlier post…must have read it too fast. It’s good to know that I can use Premo to make a thicker cuff with the bracelet blank.
@Sue F: Sue, thanks for your comment! I need to upload a pic of that bracelet I was talking about–you would love it if you love heavy, chunky bracelets! I used Kato in black for the 2 inside very thick layers and a thin giraffe pattern (?) over-layer on top. With 2 wires inside (coat-hanger wire), it is indeed very strong and not very flexible at all! I am pretty sure it will outlive me, lol. I tend to mix the clays I use. I am pretty sure the outer decorative layer was Premo, but flexing is not an issue since the majority of the clay was Kato plus the inner wires.
I found it a little tricky working with the wire inside and am thinking if I make the blanks a la Cindy and encase them, maybe that would be easier to work with? Since the flashing metal/aluminum seems to be so cheap, that might be the way I would go. I also may have some old cookie tins inthe attic–will have to go scrounge around. I will have to try and see. I agree with you–the bracelets are fun to make, if a bit challenging.
@Becky C.: It sounds awesome, Becky, and very much like my kind of bracelet!
I think your construction method is pretty close to what I do too. I roll a sheet of clay at the pasta machine’s thickest setting, score channels where the wire will go, then place the clay channel-side-up on a brass bracelet blank and cure it. Once this initial curing has taken place I put 14 gauge copper wire into the channels, fold it over the ends of the blank and then use pliers to give a firm twist at each end to tighten the wire and ensure it sits exactly where it’s meant to. Then on goes another layer of polymer clay (second-thickest setting on the pasta machine), followed by the thin decorative layer before curing a second time. Once it’s cooled I cut the wires to release it from the blank, file down the wire ends, put a final thin layer of clay all around the edge to finish it off nicely, and give it a final curing. Then sand and buff.
A couple of times I’ve worked ahead and have left the decorative layer off, doing the second curing with just the base, wire and second filler clay layer. That gives me a nice batch of undecorated bracelets so I can jump straight into the creative part later. If the decorative layer wraps around the base it goes on in one go; if I want a tailored look with a contrasting trim, I add the decorative layer, cure, then add the trim around the edge and cure again.
I also apply a very thin layer of Kato Clear Medium to the baked clay before I put raw clay on top of it in the above stages, just to be on the safe side.
You’re probably right that blanks would be a bit easier to work with: coat-hanger wire must be much less cooperative than the 14 gauge wire I use! I’m guessing the process would be pretty similar, although my instinct would be to do the layers over the blank first, then the layer underneath the blank that will be in contact with the skin, and then edging. Instinct has been known to be wrong though. ;D
Let us know how it works out for you!
Thanks guys for such nice feedback! I think you are really going to love how creative this technique is. There are a few questions, so I will answer them all at once rather than individually.
As far as the best gauge to use, that really depends on several factors and you are going to have to experiment with what works best for you. Most hardware store sheet metals, such as aluminum and galvanized steel, don’t often list the gauge anyway, so you will have to feel it in your hands to see if it is suitable for you.
Another thing is that the different metals have different hardness properties. For example, steel is much harder and springier than aluminum. And the amount of hammering you do will also effect the hardness of your end product.
Sometimes with outside the box, mixed media projects like this, it is important to be willing to experiment and stay open minded. I try my utmost best to show you materials and tools that are easily found through normal avenues, but you may have to find substitutions to make them work for you. The fantastic thing about this kind of project, is the materials are super cheap. So if you find a metal you think will work, but it ends up being too stiff to cut, or too flimsy no matter how much you’ve hammered it, it won’t be an expensive learning experience.
On the subject of the clay cracking, make sure to use a good strong clay like Premo or Kato, that also has a little flexibility to it. In the next video, I will show you what I consider a minimum thickness the clay should be as well as other tips for making the project durable. Of course proper conditioning, baking and handling all make a difference to the strength of your clay bracelets, so if you need to learn about that, make sure to take the Basics Course or study this blog for the information you need.
Tell anyone that wears your bracelets, to treat them kindly. No crushing the bracelet against your wrist or stretching it really wide open. Small adjustments are OK but nothing too drastic. I think you will find this style to be quite durable and wearable though, so don’t worry.
And lastly, as far as using the metal as a form, it does work, but your clay design needs to be much thicker to be strong enough to keep from breaking. Personally, I am a little rough with my hands (spontaneous gardening or swinging of hammers can happen at any time for me) so I prefer to have the metal there for added strength. But that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment and come up with your own, clay-only designs, using the metal blanks as a baking form.
I hope that helps you all. I can’t wait to see what you all post on the Facebook Gallery page. Have fun with the technique!
Cindy, I didn’t get my e mail this morning. I save these e mails so I have the free color cards you receive with the e mail.
Thanks Cindy!
Stephanie
Cool video, Cindy! I love the way the braclets look and the flashing is only 57 cents for 5×7 at Ace. makes a cheap[ blank for bangles!
@Stephanie Bargelski: Stephanie, I hope you dont’ mind but I want to see if you save those recipe cards on your computer, too. Only saving the emails wont’ help if Cindy has to change the urls again. Remember last year? Somebody riped her off an posted her recipes. She had to change thier online location. Thought I better remind you JIK. I used to only save email an I lost color paletes and recpes.
@Stephanie Bargelski: Also, Cindy just told me that the B-series are only available a short time. If you don’t save them or download them right away you may miss out.
Another project I am wanting to learn is wire wrapping. Making the V loops and some fancy swrils would be wonderful!! Thanks Cindy!
Stephanie
@Stephanie Bargelski: Stephanie, I’ll second Jennifer’s comment about saving the recipes, perhaps in a Word folder on your computer. I’ll tell you what I did one wet Sunday afternoon, I made a page for each palette, copied the picture to the top and had four recipes on an A4 page, which I printed onto thin card. Then I made two button-size discs of each colour, thickest setting on the pasta machine. One disc I put through the pasta machine at a thinner setting to made an oval shape. I put a hole through the thick round disc and baked them both. I wrote the code number on the round discs, and threaded them all onto string. The thin ovals were glued to the card next to their recipe. I put all the A4 cards into a Clearfile (plastic pages in a folder) and can look through them for colour inspiration, or at the threaded discs. I’m sure everyone has their own way of organising all the colours.
The aurora technique bracelet is absolutely magical looking!
I’m a little nervous about using a cookie tin as a blank – it seems a little messy to cut through the curved, rolled edges- I envision cutting myself on these sharp edges– or am I being unnecessarily concerned? I do have the first aid scissors – nice to know they can be put to use on something fun and creative.
Thanks so much gals, for the awesome tips and advice you provided for Stephanie about the B-Series color recipes!!! Hopefully everyone gets a chance to read the comments here. It is so important to make sure you are downloading a copy of the actual recipe card images to your computer as they are posted each week. Save the emails too so that you have copies of the photos that Doug takes.
@Stephanie Bargelski: I just sent you an email with some specific information about how to deal with the email deliverability issue you are experiencing.
@Maria: If you are worried about cutting your hands while working with the metal, a pair of work gloves will protect your hands nicely. Cutting through the edges and seams of the cookie tin, is not that hard, if you have a good pair of aviator snips. Hope that helps!
I searched at both Lowes and Home Depot today for the galvanized steel flashing. I couldn’t find any so I got the aluminum flashing. They had it in the 6″ roll so I’m ready to go. I should be ready for next week in no time.
Your video tutorials are super and I have learned so much from them. Thanks for your help. I look forward to Friday morning every week except for the regrettable 5th Fri. Same time I think you more than deserve some time off. Cheers, Katherine Davis
Went back to Lowes’ yesterday and did some more searching and finally found the sheets of galvanized metal. The sheet that I finally purchased was 12″ x 24″ of 26 gauge galvanized sheet metal. I have several blanks of different sizes all cut out and I think they will be plenty thick/sturdy enough. That sheet cost only $4.75 so I more than got my money’s worth. I will try some of the aluminum blanks and see how they compare. At only $10 for both materials, it’s worth it for the experiment and I’m sure if I don’t end up using the aluminum, I am sure something else will pop up that I can use it for (like pendant backs, etc).
Great information sharing guys! Very helpful!
Thanks Sue for all the Kato info. It is really amazing how different each clay behaves. Each brand has its own strengths and weaknesses and knowing them really helps us all to make the best quality projects possible.
Suddenly today I was faced with a roll of aluminum flashing. I was trying to decide if it would also work for bangle blanks. Of course, I tried it. I think it will work if I can work out the math. When I try it “officially” I’ll make a post on my very neglected blog and let y’all know.
I’ve bought aluminum cuff blanks before and was not crazy about the size I got them in. Making them in all kinds of widths will make me much happier. Now the wheels are turning. I’m thinking of ways to make the cuffs a little more sculptural.
@Katie: I know what you mean – I’ve been thinking of all kinds of curves to put into my blanks and adding lots of embellishments. FUN! FUN!! FUN!!!
I have a bracelet in curing as we speak. I do want to have a layer on the inside, also. I will rebake with a layer on the inside. I am not sure if I will have to glue the 2 sides together. Let you know what happens ;D . Any input from someone who has done botha at the same time, would be greatly appreciated ( cus’ I want to do MORE)………..TY
Very nice. I am now experimenting on putting clay on anything that will not catch fire when baking. I thought of metal and clay coming together. What a great tutorial! I am always learning something new from you Cindy. Glad to have you in my favorites. Susan Larivee
@Susan L:
I just had to make a comment…..my husband makes a couple of references about polymer clay that are relevant….he tells the dog to hide her bones or I will cover them in clay! hahaha I do save jars of all kinds and cover them for several uses. Vases, pencil holders, or whatever…. can be made using spaghetti sauce jars or salsa jars, I have covered small glass votives to use for paper clips or whatever…..I also pick up paper mache’ boxes at the craft store and cover them to make small jewelry boxes etc. They have these cute flip flop sandals that are fun to cover. I also love to cover bic pens…..LIke Susan said, if it won’t catch fire, cover it! Oh, if it is something real slick and it doesn’t want to stick, use a little liquid clay or some white glue!
@Cheryl Dixon: Hi, Cheryl, I see your husband has been hanging out with mine! He says the same things! I can’t look at anything any more without thinking: “Can I cover that with clay?” LOL!! And yes, if it can withstand 275 degree oven I’m covering it with clay!! And Susan is right on with, “if it won’t catch fire, cover it!” We need a world that is: “Clay-tastic”, right? Clay on!!!
Just to let everyone know that Michaels just got in a whole section of metal working tools! Ball peen hammers, some with textures to add texture while pounding, metal pounding blocks, hard rubber blocks, a small anvil, metal stamps, which would work on clay, too! Blank metal pieces for earrings, charms that you could stamp or cover with clay!! And even a ring mandril!!! Most of these will help out with this tute. What good timing!
I’m a little behind due to a death in the family and planning a month long “on-line” baby shower and having to deal with another 10″ inches of snow!!! But, I will be looking for pics from everyone on how well they master this tute!
Thanks for sharing all the cool info everyone! Do let us know how your experiments go and don’t for get to post your pics on the Facebook Page. The more photos you share there the more value it is to everyone.
@Catalina: You have no idea how happy that makes me to hear that Catalina! The more readily available metal working and jewelry making tools are, the better for everyone. The 40% off coupons Michaels offers doesn’t hurt either. It is so cool having ‘someone on the inside’ like you!!
@Catalina: Thanks, for the info, Cat! It’s so cool that we’re able to get the inside scoop from you. I’m sorry to hear about your loss. My condolences to you & your family. I’ve also seen some of your FB posts regarding the shower…looks like you’ve been working really hard! Hang in there — we love you!
I discovered the new metal-working supplies at Michael’s last week — I was so excited! I have one of the “special” Michael’s stores (test store?) near me, & they’ve had some of the metal-working stuff in stock for quite a long time now. But now there’s even more! I was thrilled to see the big display on my last visit! I bought a 1/16″ set of alphabet metal stamps (w/50% coupon!) I had already bought some of the other items, like the ring mandrel, dapping block/set, chasing hammer, rivets & blanks, snips, rubber block & more…been buying them one by one w/coupons each time I go. Actually, I may have already posted about some of this (I promise…I really do try to avoid talking too much! LOL) Sorry!
Anyway, the new goodies at Michael’s made me super-happy (I’d already been looking for the small-size metal stamps.) Anybody else get as excited as me about the new inventory? Yep, I really need a life! Now…if I could just find those new Premo colors in a store — I’ll be ecstatic! Retail Therapy, baby! ;-)
Slowly getting the hang of these, and soon they will be perfect. I store all my production runs on vintage glass jars and bottles, who’s shape helps saves the initial work done on the anvil, and it makes a pretty display (put sand or pebbles in the bottles).
Cindy that aurora borealis cane still stuns me. Just when I think, o no!, another slide of the razor or sanding delivers even more colors.
@Jocelyn: Smart (and pretty, I bet!) storage idea, Jocelyn…you are such a crafty lady! ;D Wish I could see a pic of all those bangles wrapped ’round the pretty vintage glass jars & bottles…
Hi everyone
Yesterday I was working with some copper flashing that was given to me years ago :) following Cindy’s tute and pretty much happy with the way they were turning out—when my DH came home from work I showed him my progress and the metal files I’d found to use in his tool box–he said ‘give me a sec’ and came back with this strip of ’emmory fabric tape’ (sp)—OMGosh!!! and WOW!!—This fabric tape stuff took away the sharpness on the edges that the metal files had left—dulled it right down–ok sherry calm down;)
I took a couple of pics and will post to our facebook pics
On the back of the strip it says: 3M 314D P180 and has a drawing of a person covered with protective gear like gloves, face sheild, and apron. It’s about 1 inch wide
Alan works as parts manager at a car dealership and say mechanics use this stuff to clean up car parts ect…
@Tantesherry: Thanks, Sherry…sounds like a cool product! I’ll bet your hubby loved “coming to your rescue” with that stuff, eh? ;D I checked out the photos…looks really easy to use, too…
Vol 033-2 Galvanized metal bracelet forms: What metal sealer, that would also be compatible with polymer clay, do you recommend as a substitute for the discontinued one in the video? Also, what paint and paint sealer would you recommend for exposed metal bracelet interior that would withstand the wear and body oils of the wrist?
Hi Diane, a good replacement sealer for the discontinued PYMII would be to use Renaissance Wax. It is both polymer clay and metal safe and it would be flexible if you were readjusting the size of the bracelet. As far as paints go, I would use a paint that is made for sticking to metals. Many spray paints are great on metal. Another option that I have used is called No-Prep Metal Paint by DecoArt. But a good look around any craft store for a metal paint should surface some good options. Don’t wax the metal if you’re going to paint it though… wax will prevent the paint from sticking.