Painting on Copper Jewelry

Painting on copper jewelry can give your items a unique look.

Copper jewelry has a stunning a look that makes it unique among medals. Painting on copper can enhance the look of jewelry you make or buy, with the painted surface's often looking wet and glass-like permanently. If you've never painted copper before, doing so is much like painting other metals, with the strictest requirement simply being to allow the copper a long enough time to dry. Painting on copper jewelry is the same process used to paint portraits on pieces of copper.

Things You'll Need

• Steel wool
• Lacquer finish spray

Instructions

1. Rub your jewelry with sandpaper or steel wood in order to prime it.

2. Spray the jewelry with two coats of a lacquer finishing spray, allowing it to dry between coats. This will give you a surface to now paint on, and will protect the copper from oxidation.

3. Use oil paints to paint on the jewelry. Painting in thin layers will allow the copper to show through, giving your jewelry a distinctive look.

4. Allow your jewelry to dry for at least 24 hours.

5. Spray your finished product once again with the finishing lacquer to protect your design.

6. Wait for the finishing lacquer to dry, and then start wearing and enjoying your jewelry.