Colored Pencil Jewelry

A New Technique

This colorful bracelet is Copper colored with Prismacolor pencils.

There are many ways to get color in jewelry, for example: enamel, patinas, beads and colored stones.

I took a class this summer taught by Mary Karg who developed a method of coloring metal using layers of Prismacolor Premier colored pencils. She developed the process as an alternative to enameling. Since the only source of heat needed is from your fingers, no torch or kiln is used.

The basic steps are illustrated below, but if you would like more detailed instruction, go to Mary’s website for her book and class schedule. I heard she has a new online tutorial available, but taking a class is way more fun.

Step 1.

Cut out the shape in metal.

Step 2.

Smooth the edges and shape the metal as you normally would.

Step 3:

Roughen the surface of the metal using a tungsten bur.

Step 3: cont'd

This is what the roughened part looks like.

Step 4:

Paint green patina onto the rough side of the metal and let dry.

Step 5:

Select your colors.

Step 6:

Start with the lightest color as you add layers of coordinating colors.

Step 7:

Blend the colors with your fingertips between layers of color.

Step 8:

Continue to add layers of color until the metal is “loaded”.

Step 9:

Spray at least 2 layers of acrylic fixative or clear laquer over the piece to keep the color from rubbing off.

The Finished Product!

The pieces we made in the class are just the start of a new way of designing jewelry. Already I have colored my green sea turtle necklaces, and have plans for blue fish earrings, a purple guitar pendant and a pink flamingo pin. Stay tuned…