5 Reasons to Get Brassy with Your Accessorizing

Brass has the richness and warmth of gold, at a fraction of the cost. These blank bracelets, rings, and charms are so affordable -- starting at just 50 cents apiece! -- that you have the freedom to try endless enamel-paint combinations. Before you know it, you'll have enough modern, colorful pieces for all your loved ones on Valentine's Day.

As brass jewelry ages, it acquires a patina that contrasts nicely with bold paint colors. You can find so-called brass blanks at metalliferous.com and fancifulsinc.com, and through craft-supply dealers on Etsy.

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How to Use No-Bake Enamel Paint

The key to a successful cure and a consistent finish is the perfect mixture of one part color to two parts activator. Squeeze dime-size drops onto a silicone mat, then mix with a toothpick. (If you mix your own shades from the paints, just make sure to keep the activator-color ratio at 2 to 1.)

Materials
Brass blanks
Rubbing alcohol
Enamel-paint color and activator
Silicone mat
Toothpick

1. Clean brass blanks with rubbing alcohol.

2. Mix color and activator on mat, as shown. Lay a blank flat and use toothpick to move paint around to cover surface. Work right up to the edge; paint will pool and form a slightly rounded surface. If blank has a hole, clear it with toothpick.

3. Let cure for 72 hours before handling.

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Charm Necklace

Large and small round charms added to a chain made from links in various sizes have a fun, bubbly effect.






Stacked Rings

Freshly mixed paint can drip and run off rounded or vertical surfaces. Let the mixture thicken for three hours before painting rings.






Pendant Necklace

Try a twist on a classic: Let two charms dangle loosely on your decolletage, and fix two others in place (by threading jump rings through the chain) on the side of your neck.






Cuff Bracelets

Craft gifts for loved ones: Linked cuffs come in circles and squares as well as the ovals shown.






Bangle Bracelets

Thin bangles are so inexpensive, you can paint and give them in multiples.

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Jewelry crafts -- we can't get enough!