So I'm trying to learn painting on the High Elves that came with my Island of Blood starter set before I move on to the army that I really want to play with (dwarves).

Anyway, I'd like to think I'm getting better with each model I paint. I'm also experimenting with some different techniques as I go. There's one thing on the elf models that keeps making me pull out what little hair I have left: the little ribbon borders and the gems.

Everything I do on the ribbons/borders winds up looking like crap and smearing everywhere. Even using the absolute smallest brush I can find, it's just not turning out right. The way that I've gotten the best results so far is to use a small, flat brush and just kind of scrap it across. It still winds up looking wonky, however. I'm wondering if maybe I'm just doing it wrong? What are some of the ways you paint those parts?

Here are the ribbon thingies in question, by the way: The Fiddly Bits

As far as the gems go, it constantly looks like I just blooped a red dot on to it. I also have a tendency to "go outside the lines" for lack of a better term. Is there some way to make the gems look better and to keep the paint on the gem itself?

Thanks in advance for any help!

UPDATE Thanks for all your help! I'm going to be trying some of these over the next few models. I'll keep you posted!