Pendants and pendants made of polymer clay: a detailed master class

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:35

Polymer clay is a material from which you can make a wide variety of decor, household and decoration items. It is easy to work with, it is presented in numerous colors, it is plastic and accessible for creativity. Jewelry looks especially impressive from plastic, which can be made in accordance with personal style and for any occasion. In the article, we will consider how to make a polymer clay pendant with your own hands.

Rules for working with the material

In order for the process of making items from polymer clay to be enjoyable, and the result to meet expectations, you must follow the rules for working with the material:

1. The choice of raw materials is approached very carefully, cheaper materials are suitable for beginners, while more experienced craftswomen are recommended to use high-quality clay.
2. No need to purchase a whole set for modeling. To begin with, it is better to buy a small block of clay and try it out, combine it with other parts, evaluate the flexibility and bake.
3. Before you start making any jewelry, you need to have a gas or electric stove, tools and a board. The packaging of polymer clay will be labeled with the time and temperature of firing in the oven.
4. To maintain the purity of the color of the finished product, work should be carried out with gloves or clean hands.
5. To make jewelry, you will need special fittings, so before working, you need to make sure that there are fasteners and decorative elements.

Pendant

Original or abstract pendants and pendants made of polymer clay are much easier to make yourself than many people think at first glance. To work, you will need a rolling machine or a familiar rolling pin, polymer clay of several colors, patience and creativity. If we take into account the method of rolling out the material, then the easiest way to turn a piece of clay into a cake is to use a specially designed machine, for lack of it, you can use a kitchen rolling pin.

The technique for making the pendant is as follows:

1. First, polymer clay is laid in your favorite colors, rolled into a thin plate.
2. Then it is cut into thin identical strips and rolled into spirals.
3. Ready-made spirals are randomly stacked next to each otherother.
4. Finishings are attached to the resulting pendant and baked in the oven for the time indicated on the clay label.

The decoration will look especially impressive if you additionally cover it with several layers of special varnish.

Heart pendant: master class

Even a child can make a polymer clay pendant in the shape of a heart, but to make the pendant extraordinary, you should show your imagination. For work, you can use the remains of clay from previous crafts. The process itself will not take much time, but the result will surely please. To make a heart pendant you will need:

• multi-colored pieces of polymer clay or leftovers, cuts and fragments, in different shapes and sizes from previous products;
• stack with ball;
• stationery knife;
• glue;
• accessories for decoration.

How to make a pendant

Step by step instructions:

1. All existing pieces of polymer clay must be finely chopped with a clerical knife and mixed.
2. A cuboid is made from the finished mass, the size of which should not exceed 2 by 2.5 cm. In order to give the product the correct shape, the edges must be aligned with a ruler or other similar object.
3. The figure is cut into two equal parts and unfolded so that the cut is facing up.
4. The finished parts are cut again, as a result, 4 equal parts should be obtained. Each one is turned inside out.
5. To get a symmetrical pattern, allthe quarters are neatly folded into two rectangles.



6. A rectangle is again formed from these plates, following the symmetry of the pattern. The pattern should be mirrored on all sides. The form must be pressed well and the remaining air released from it, properly fastening the layers of clay together.
7. The bottom of the rectangle is cut with a clerical knife on both sides, thus giving the mass a triangular shape.
8. The next stage is one of the most difficult, but interesting. It consists in shaping the product. At will, the heart can be made flat or convex, wide or oblong. You can work with the clay mass with your fingers or with the help of a stack with a ball. When the heart has acquired the desired shape, you can place it in the oven for firing. The average baking time is 5 minutes, it all depends on the manufacturer.

How to attach fittings and how to cover

After the firing is completed, the fittings are fixed. Do this with any quick-drying glue. The pin is screwed into the hole from above and additionally fixed with glue.

When the glue dries, a heart holder is attached to the pin. A cord, ribbon or chain of the desired length is pulled through it. To make the pendant rough, it is polished with felt, and to make the product glossy, varnished.

Remember: polymer clay pendant can not be coated with any varnish. Some won't dry at all, while others will start to stick after a while.time. Nail polishes are also not recommended. They contain acetone and alcohol, which react chemically with the clay. Special varnishes are sold in the same place as clay. You can find products from Fimo or Scalpi. Alternatively, it is permissible to use a water-based polyurethane-acrylate varnish for furniture or parquet, for example, Future Floor Finish, Tikkurila Parketti Assa.

Important: before applying varnish, the product must be washed with a sponge and soap, dried. Otherwise, the coating will be removed with a film.

Making a lilac pendant

To make a lilac pendant you will need:

• polymer clay of lilac or similar color;
• filigree;
• toothpick;
• brush pen;
• copper-coloured fittings: large ring, clips, bail, carabiner, connecting rings;
• ribbon the same color as the clay.

Execution technique

Do-it-yourself step-by-step instructions will help you make a pendant (pendant) from polymer clay:

1. Lilac-colored polymer clay is rolled into a thin layer, the optimal thickness is 2-3 mm.
2. The filigree is applied to the formation and pressed tightly.
3. Press the pattern with a toothpick.
4. Cut the polymer clay around the edges of the filigree with a knife. Do this with great care so as not to damage the drawing.
5. Toothpick protruding sections of clay are pressed or dotted with a toothpick.
6. From plastic a little lighter than the main tone, it is necessary to roll up a lot of balls with a diameter of 1.5 mm and attach it to the product with a brush handle. Thus, the pendant is given volume and beauty. You can decorate the product by combining several plastic colors close in shade.
7. Then a hole is made in the pendant for the ring and sent to the oven for firing according to the time indicated on the package.
8. The final stage is the fastening of the fittings. A bail and a pendant are put on a large ring. The bale is attached to a tape folded in half, and fixed at the edges with clips. Rings are attached at one end, and a carabiner at the other.

Having mastered the technique of working with plastic, you can make beautiful and original things for yourself, your friends and loved ones.