Update yesteryear's jewelry with modern colors and patterns -- like neons and color blocking -- to create trendy pieces you'll want to wear every day! Giving vintage rhinestone necklaces, watches and brooches a face-lift can be as easy as adding a coat of enamel or nail polish.
Things You'll Need
Vintage or Costume Jewelry
Nail Polish or Enamel Paint
Economy Grade Paint Brushes With Plastic Bristles
Paint Thinner
Disposable Gloves
Scrap Paper
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Warning
Enamel Paint may stain surfaces and is difficult to remove without paint thinner, so be sure to cover your workspace, hands and clothing. You may consider using disposable paint brushes and gloves for easy clean up.
Step 1: Clean
Flea market finds can be a little grungy, so give your pieces a good scrub with soapy water and an old toothbrush. Allow to dry completely before applying enamel.
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Step 2: Paint
Apply several thin layers of enamel or nail polish to rhinestones or metal surfaces and allow to dry between coats to avoid ripples in the paint -- it's a lot like painting your nails!
Tip
Try splattering different colors of paint over your necklace for a fun effect -- just be sure to wear gloves and adequately cover your work surface!
Step 3: Dry
Allow enamel to dry overnight, as uncured enamel will be sticky to the touch and leave undesirable marks and fingerprints in the high-gloss finish. Thicker layers might take longer to fully cure, so be sure to test before wearing.
Have a question about enameling or where to find great costume jewelry? Leave them for us in the comments below. Happy crafting!