Very Versatile:
The versatility of metal filigree means that it can be used for anything from a base for a cabochon, a foundation for beading with wire, links in a bracelet or earrings, or as the basis of a beaded ornament.Beautiful Finishes:
Filigree can be found in finishes ranging from a basic raw brass to real gold-filled or plated, vermeil, silver plated, copper plated, imitation rhodium, imitation antique gold and silver-tone plating, and brass colored to look like aged bronze.Filigree can be colored, too:
Using a variety of craft supplies, most filigree can be colored using rubber stamp products such as either the opaque or translucent types of Staz-On® rubber stamping inks by the Tsukineko, Inc. Layer a translucent color over an opaque pastel color for an enameled effect. Or try giving the filigree a spritz of Adirondack® Colorwash Spray or brush with Adirondack® Dimensional Pearls Paints™ used straight out of the bottle or diluted with Delta Ceramacoat® Gel Stain Mix™ for a stained effect. Most metal filigree can also be painted with regular acrylic paints too, as long as you prepare the surface with metal primer.Easy to Add Beads Metal Filigree:
Metal Filigree can easily be used as a beading substrate. If your finished piece will get a lot of wear, then I would advise using a product such as Soft Touch™ Beading Wire by the SoftFlex Company. Just loop it and crimp it in place on the back of the filigree piece. Products such as Fireline™ or PowerPro™ fishing lines can be sued to stitch beads on to metal filigree too, however, the metal may abrade and wear out the fibers over time, so use a double-thread and the heaviest line that will go through your beads.MakeYour Own Findings and Elements with Metal Filigree:
Metal filigree, especially those pieces such as the ones shown in the third image on this page, is often made to be used as an element in scrapbooking. However, because it is a stamped metal, it can easily be pierced with a metal hole tool, and re-invented as chandelier earring elements, necklace centerpieces, bracelet ends and more. Look closely at the top piece in the third image on this page and note the holes punched into the corner piece on top. That can now have jump rings and any other material added to change it from a scrapbooking element into a fine piece of beaded jewelry.Metal Filigree is Great in Bead Art Projects and Beaded Artist Trading Cards:
Add a little metallic edge to your Bead Art and to Beaded Artist Trading Cards by attaching a central motif of metal filigree with a cabochon or other item glued to it. Attach beads to the metal filigree first, then glue it in place on the ATC or other bead art. Use a single straight strip at the bottom of an ATC, then hand beads from it for a beaded fringe border. Smaller pieces of metal filigree work great for attaching ribbon for a bookmark; just add beads to the metal filigree, then a few beads to the bottom of the ribbon, and you've got an almost-instant bookmark!Cut Your Metal Filigree for Even More Versatility:
If you bead miniatures or make miniature jewelry, use a small corner piece of filigree to created a metal purse handle for your tiny beaded bag. Very fine wire filigree can also be cut using a good pair of wire cutters, and pieces of the main element can be used in a variety of ways. Just be sure to use a metal file to remove any sharp edges left by clipping.Metal Filigree is Also Your Bendable Buddy:
Long narrow pieces of metal filigree, such as the top and bottom pieces of the Pixie Press™ metal filigree pieces shown at top and bottom of the second picture at right, can be bent into a graceful curve to fit your wrist and become a perfect center element for a beaded metal filigree bracelet. A perfect curved form to use to bend the filigree into shape is an old bangle bracelet, approximately 1" wide. These can be found in secondhand or dollar stores easily, and will come in handy when making curved pieces with your metal filigree.Metal Filigree Can Be Used Anywhere Beads Can!:
With the range of sizes, colors, applications and types of filigree available, it's hard not to find a multitude of uses for it in beading and beadwork.And with the wonderful ink and metal coloring products available, most brass filigree can be coated to look like anything from enamel elements to antique piece of "found material" and everything in-between. Use it in jewelry projects, for findings on beadwork projects, as earring components, or in all types of mixed-media applications.
Of course, filigree makes a wonderful substrate for bead embroidery, and can be used as such easily, with the right threads, Just be sure to choose a heavy weight and strong thread that can withstand the contact with metal and you'll be fine.
Use today's filigree for just about any type of beading application. Just grab a piece and start gluing various bits on to it, then embellish with whatever beads you happen to have laying around and you'll be impressed with the results.
Have fun with filigree, and you'll be sure to find yourself grabbing for it more often, and will discover more and more uses each time you use it.