Faux Ivory Clay Pendant

1. Condition all clay and keep colors separated.

2. To make imitation ivory: Flatten the white, beige and clear clay with rolling pin and pasta maker to about 1/16 inch thickness (figure A).

3. Stack each layer (white and beige) alternating with translucent clay in between each layer (figure B). Flatten stack with rolling pin; stretch and make as thin as possible.

4. Cut in half and restack. Continue previous steps until the colors make a thin striation (figure C).

5. To make the ivory bead: Cut off the edges of the ivory block and make a small ball (figure D).

6. Cover the top and bottom with a thin layer of black clay (figure E).

7. Slice a thin layer of the ivory to fit around the bead (figure F). Roll and smooth the clay together.

8. Pierce a hole through the middle of the bead with a wooden skewer. Leave the skewer in the bead.

9. Place one side of the bead on one stamp and place the other stamp on the other side of the bead and press together (figure G).

10. Bake in oven at 250 to 275 F degrees for one hour. Remove and let cool.

11. Rub acrylic paint over the entire bead (figure H) and let dry for 15 minutes.

12. Sand with the three different grits of sandpaper. Buff until shiny.

13. To make the seed bead tassel: Tie a knot in one end of the beading thread. String seed beads to desired length (figure I).

14. Attach a larger bead at the end of the string of seed beads and thread back up through the seed beads. Repeat this five times to make five strands of seed beads (figure J).

15. Tie ends together and hang on eye pin.

16. Put the eye pin through the ivory bead and add other beads (figure K).

17. Make a loop on the end of the eye pin. Attach a jump ring and put rattail cording through for necklace.