Clay and Wire Pendants

Barbara McGuire creates pendants using polymer clay and wire.

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Project by Barbara McGuire.

Materials:

Premo polymer clay: pearl, pearl blue, pearl green, silver metallic
16- & 20-gauge silver wire
wire flush cutters
chain-nose pliers
round-nose pliers
Super Sculpey Slicer (clay blade)
needle tool
mandrel (can use needle tool)
classic rectangle Shapelets template
Pasta machine w/fettuccini strip attachment
buffing wheel (optional)
400-, 600- & 800-grit wet sandpaper
deep/high raised stamp Limited Edition Rubberstamps Kimono
water
mist bottle

Steps:

1. Condition and mix color in one direction by using the pasta machine to align the mica. Make a sheet of clay on the thickest setting of the machine.

2. Mist the clay sheet with water. Stamp into the clay and lift up stamp. This shifts the mica particles into the clay into different directions.

3. Slice across the texture, shaving off thin layers until the clay is even and the reflective pattern is seen from the mica shifting.

4. Stack the prepared sheet on another sheet of clay to add thickness to the pendant. Smooth with roller.

5. Place Shapelets rectangle template (inside piece) or cut pattern shape on top of clay. Trim pendant with blade or craft knife. Blade will bend around pattern.

6. Run another thin sheet (#5) of clay (lighter color) through the fettuccini strip attachment of the pasta machine.

7. Wrap the sides of the pendant with the strip centering the wrapped piece evenly. Smooth seams.

8. Drill hole through the pendant horizontally with a needle tool.

9. Bake according to package instructions.

10. Sand with 400-, 600- and then 800-grit wet sandpaper and buff on buffing wheel to a glossy shine.

11. Cut wire to 12 inches. Make sure all ends are flush cuts.

12. Slip through pendant and bend to join at top. Bend wire into position with chain-nose pliers.

13. Wrap wire with a 3-inch piece of 20-gauge silver wire at the "neck" where the two wires join. Cut ends of wrapping wire when wrap is 1/2 inch wide.