Tag Archives: Polymer Clay

Learn to Make a Pendant from Clay

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by Iris Rodriguez

Learn to Make a Pendant from Clay

Making your own jewelry can be so rewarding. You get to make fun and exciting creations, express yourself and make a statement. Making beads out of polymer clay is a great way to get started or simply experiment and see if you like it. The beads can be stamped, colored, and even embossed. For this project, I made a round, dome-shaped bead, stamped it and embossed with silver embossing powder.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 30 minutes + baking time according to clay manufacturer instructions

Directions


Step 1

Set out your mat. Ceramic, glass or special mats like Polyform’s Sculpey Make ‘N Bake Mat surfaces work best when working with clay.


Step 2

Begin by conditioning the clay with a clay roller, or pasta machine. When first taking the clay out of the package, roll the clay a few times in order to soften it. If it cracks when running it through the pasta machine or roller; this means that it’s not conditioned. So continue to condition. If using a pasta machine, roll one sheet of clay to the third thickest setting. If using a roller, aim for 1/16 inch thickness. Place stamp over the clay, press firmly into the clay with your fingers or clay roller.


Step 3

Remove stamp. Ensure you get a deep indentation so that you have good dimension.


Step 4

Using the Premo Sculpey Circle cutters, cut out the clay. Use the second largest cutter from the set.


Step 5

Prepare the pendant for baking. In order to get a dome shape, place the clay over a rounded object, like a burned out light bulb or the round edge of a ceramic bowl. Bake the clay according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the package.


Step 6

While the clay is baking, prepare the bail. Using the Premo Sculpey Circle cutters, cut out a circle. Use the second smallest cutter from the set. Then use the smallest cutter and cut out tiny slices off on opposite sides of each other.


Step 7

After the clay cures, roll out a small sheet of clay to the 4th thickest setting in the pasta machine. Spread a little bit of liquid clay on the back of the bead. The liquid clay adheres the clay to each other. Adhere the newly rolled out sheet of clay. Cut out the excess with a precision knife. Texture the back. This is in case, the bead flips while you are wearing it and it will still look fabulous. Add a couple of drops of liquid clay to the bail and adhere to the bead. Before doing so, lay down a piece of wire, so that it bakes with an opening. This is where the cord will go through. Bake the bead according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the package.


Step 8

Ink the raised areas with the VersaMark ink. Add embossing powder in Silver. The clay tends to attract the embossing powder so it will want to go into the non-inked area. Use a liner brush to remove the embossing powder from the crevices.


Step 9

Heat set the embossing powder, just like you would on paper. The clay will tend to get a little soft with the heat. Let cool off, do not touch and risk distorting it. The clay will harden again. Seal the bead with Sculpey Gloss Glaze. It is very important to seal the clay. It protects the embossing powder and clay. Add the leather or cotton cord and clasp. Now you have a necklace to add to your wardrobe.

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Polyform – Sculpey Souffle Clay in Poppy Seed, Gloss Glaze, Graduated Cutter Circle Set
  • Lightbulb
  • Rubber Stamp
  • Leather or Cotton Cord
  • Jewelry Hardware: jump ring, clasp, needle nose pliers
  • Ceramic tile, crafting glass, or Sculpey Work ‘N Bake Clay Mat

Create a Lovely Wedding Gift Out of Polymer Clay

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by Iris Rodriguez

Create Lovely Wedding Gift Out of Polymer Clay Ultraviolet color

The weather is getting nicer and the wedding season will be upon us soon. Of course, weddings happen all year round, but June is a popular month. June wedding tradition goes back to Roman times when they celebrated the festival of the deity Juno and his wife Jupiter, who was the goddess of marriage and childbirth, on the first day of June. The Victorians celebrated June weddings because the flowers were in full bloom, which was used as wedding decor. Speaking of decor, I had the idea to celebrate weddings this season with a DIY ring bowl. It is easy to make and it’s not time-consuming. The results are beautiful and heartfelt. The ring dish can used during the ceremony to transport the ring down the aisle, and the newlyweds will always have a keepsake from the wedding.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Direction


Step 1

Condition the FIMO clay on the pasta machine or use a roller. If using the pasta machine roll a sheet of clay to the thickest setting (about 5 mm).


Step 2

Lay down the sheet of clay, place the bowl upside down on top of the sheet. Using the bowl as a guide, cut the clay from around the bowl with clay pick or precision knife. Smooth out the bowl’s rim by running your fingers along the surface and smoothing out bumps and jagged areas. (I used a cutting mat as the  Imagine Craft Mat as it is not a cutting mat.)


Step 3

Press stamps into clay to add texture or a sentiment.


Step 4

Place the clay in the bowl and bake together, according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the clay package. The clay will take on the shape of the bowl.


Step 5

Rub the Purple Hydrangea VersaMagic DewDrop ink on the bowl in random areas. Use the pointy end of ink pads to get into the crevices.


Step 6

Spray a little water on the ink—it will turn liquidy right away. Swish ink around the bowl, ensuring that it gets into the stamped areas.


Step 7

Dump out liquid ink and dry excess liquid in the bowl with a dry paper towel.


Step 8

Continue to color the bowl by rubbing more ink with your fingers or Sponge Dauber. Do not add more water. Leave areas uncolored, so that you can add another color. Heat Set. In the uncolored areas rub, with your fingers or a Sponge Dauber, Wedding Dress Memento Luxe. I did not blend the colors much, but you can. Slightly rub on Delicata White Shimmer all over the bowl, avoiding the crevices. It helps to bring everything together and gives a nice light shimmer.

 
Step 9

Add dimension with Grape Jelly and Lulu Lavender IrRESISTible. Using the fine-tipped applicator to fill in recessed areas. Here I have filled in the birds, birdcage, and text with the Grape Jelly color. Add Lulu Lavender in the rest of the recessed area to vary the colors. Allow everything to dry completely. Seal the clay with clay sealer or indoor polyurethane.

Supplies

Imagine

Other

  • FIMO polymer clay – White
  • Clay pick or precision knife
  • Rubber Stamps
  • Sculpey Clay Sealer or Varathane Polyurethane Sealer
  • Pasta Machine or roller
  • Bowl (4-inch diameter, heat resistant)