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judyfreyerthompson
Latest posts by judyfreyerthompson (see all)
- Musings - May 20, 2012
- Robert’s New DVD “Faux Bone Jewelry Tools and Techniques” - June 7, 2009
Blogging for jewelers and metalsmiths made easy! (and for those interested in jewelry and gemstones)
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
We are hoping a tutorial will be available in March that will show different techniques. Keep checking our blog or website for news!
do you have a dvd on the techniques for working with faux bone
Hi, concerning applying color to Faux Bone, I’ve used acrylic paints, sharpie permanent markers, shoe polish, watercolor pencils, all with success. Rember you will mostly be staining the surface with these.
As far as having the color stay on, you will need apply it on a relatively rough (sanded, scratched, carved) surface otherwise you will barely stain a totally smooth surface and it will rub off pretty easily.
Another thing that I’ve done that works really well with both color pencils and permanent markers is to apply the color then heat the surface either in a toaster oven (don’t go over 110-130°C). This seems to “fix” the color more permanently on the surface. It works even on a smooth surface and in particular with permanent markers or alcohol based paints. You can then lightly hand polish it with a soft cloth for a nice buffed up shine. It will only come off if you sand it. Don’t forget one of the main things about getting color to stick is a surface that is even slightly rough so the color enters those tiny crevices, then the heat source over it.
Angela
You can use shoe polish, not shoe cream, and leave it on for an hour or longer. If you have rubbed it off right away, it will not impart much color at all. Try leaving it for an hour or longer. There have been some students that have used acrylic paints with success as well as Prisma Color colored pencils. Please let me know if these suggestions work for you. If not, I will research other options and let you know.
What do you use to color faux bone? I’ve tried shoe polish, oil pencils, lead pencils but I can’t get the color to stick. Any suggestions for giving it a more aged look?
Thanks.
I think she wants to attach a photo to this comment. How is that done?
I will get the answer to that question and let you know. Thanks!
Hi – I have just bought and now made a piece using 1/8″ faux bone – I made two circular clasps for my necklace – very pleased with it – I cut the circels using a jewellery saw 003 blade and scribed wtih a darning needle sanded by hand and rotorary tool. I tried to cut a bangle out of a much thicker piece 1/2″ but the blade keeps snapping – I am going to try now with a hack saw or fret saw. – PS how do I attach a photo ??
I was wondering about carving tools for faux bone. I just carved a Maori influenced koru (a circle that looks sort of like a closed fern frond). I used my dremel tool with different burs and abrasives, but I was wondering if there are any good carving tools that you’d recommend. I haven’t taken a picture of the piece yet, when its in final form (all sanded etc). I’ll take a picture and post it.