How to Make a Jeweled Quail Egg

Finding something new and different in the world of jewelry-making can be a challenge. Combining it with the art of "egging" can become an obsession. Creating egg art from simple objects is what the egg artist thrives upon. Presenting this beautiful jeweled quail egg as a gift to be worn or hung will symbolize your feelings for the person who receives it.

Things You'll Need

• 3mm or 4mm rhinestone chain
• Quail egg, blown and sterilized (if real)
• 5/16 " up-eye
• 2-part, 5-minute epoxy
• Gold or silver paint
• Aileen's jeweler's glue
• Wire cutters

Instructions

1. Purchase your egg. For this project, it can be either real or manufactured. Real quail eggs, already cleaned, blown and sterilized, can be purchased through most egg-art suppliers. Manufactured eggs can be purchased at your local art /craft supply store. Once you have your egg, carefully place the upeye on the top of the egg using the 2-part 5-minute epoxy. Make sure you hold the top in place until it has hardened so that it remains straight.

2. Paint your egg. Using either gold or silver paint, coat your egg completely so that no egg will show after jeweling. Match the paint color to the base metal of your rhinestone chain. If you're using a real egg, once it has been painted, place a coat of epoxy over the entire egg, twirling it to make sure the epoxy flows evenly before hardening.

3. Starting at the top of the egg, place the rhinestone chain around the top so that it butts up against the up eye. Cut the appropriate length. Place a small line of jeweler's glue around the upeye and carefully put down the rhinestone chain. This first row must be as straight as possible before you proceed. Allow to dry.

4. Continue to measure, cut and place each additional row of rhinestones around the egg, row by row. Once you have reached the tip of the egg, cut the chain into separate mounted stones and place them in the center of the tip, filling the "hole" and giving the egg a finished look. Allow to dry overnight before wearing or hanging

Tips & Warnings

• Make a selection of these in different colors to hang on your holiday tree.

Resources

• Shipwreck beads
• Wilma's Egg Art Supplies