https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/eggshell-mosaic-bangles • Posted by Caeli L.
I remember doing a long time ago these eggshell mosaics at school and thought it would look great if used on jewelry. I used the carton roll from an industrial toilet paper roll (wich works great if you have a slim wrist) but a Pringles cointainer is a good alternative (specially for bigger wrists). The "nude" bangle was my first try and I thought it would look good with some ribbon on the edges, but after finishing it I think it looks better without it. Please not that the timing does not include drying time. This project also requires some good old patience :P
I remember doing a long time ago these eggshell mosaics at school and thought it would look great if used on jewelry. I used the carton roll from an industrial toilet paper roll (wich works great if you have a slim wrist) but a Pringles cointainer is a good alternative (specially for bigger wrists). The "nude" bangle was my first try and I thought it would look good with some ribbon on the edges, but after finishing it I think it looks better without it. Please not that the timing does not include drying time. This project also requires some good old patience :P
First of all we need to remove that white membrane that covers the inside of the shell. Let the shells soak in water for 20 minutes and then peel off that membrane. If you don't remove it your bangle will probably start smelling really bad and rot and all things nasty can happen to it, so off with that membrane! Let the shells dry. Don't try to speed up the process, they need to dry naturally.
Meanwhile, cut your bangle to desired size. Use sandpaper to smooth the edges.
Paint the roll according to your taste(outside and inside). This will be your "background" colour. I painted one black and the other copper.
Tape the roll down with some masking tape to secure it while working.
If you want to make a colored bangle (with only one colour), paint the eggshells. If you want to use different colours (like mine), I suggest you paint the shell after glueing it to the roll. And now comes the fun and time consuming part. Apply a generous coat of white glue to a small area of the roll and start glueing your eggshell pieces. Work from the edges to the center. Take a big piece of the shell and then press it flat against the roll (this will break the shell in tiny pieces). Use a toothpick to slightly move the pieces apart, creating the mosaic effect. Remember, patience is a virtue.
**OPTIONAL** If you want to make a multi coloured bangle, like this one, use a small brush to paint the shell pieces with acrylic paint. I gave mine an earthy look. Allow paint to dry before proceeding
Once you're done with glueing the shell pieces and painting(Yay, you've made it!)apply a generous coat of white glue to your bangle. It will dry clear, don't worry about all that whiteness. Let it dry well.
Apply a coat of clear varnish. Oh so shiny!
**OPTIONAL** If you want to, glue some satin ribbon on the edges. Glue one edge to the outside first and then fold it and glue the other edge it to inside.
And you're done! Now go and be pretty :)