Ceramic Necklace

Clay and glass rods were shaped to create this lampwork and ceramic necklace.

That's Clever! : Episode HCLVR-204 -- More Projects »
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Project by Jennifer Heynen from Menomonee Falls, Wis.
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Jennifer Heynen leads a busy life as a young mom in Menomonee Falls, Wis. At the end of the day, when she's finished chasing after her two little boys, ages 2 and 4, and her 115-pound mutt dog, Jennifer retreats to her basement studio. Her passion for clay began in her early high school days; however, she began her career creating functional pieces like tables and wall hangings. She soon discovered she could make jewelry from clay. Now she spends every spare minute in her studio designing beads for her unique jewelry collection.

Materials:

low-fire white clay
underglazes
clear glaze
high temperature wire
Moretti glass rods
mandrel
18- and 22-gauge sterling silver wire
rolling pin
needle tool
kiln
plaster boards
wire cutters
round nose pliers
acetylene torch
torch lighter
vent
mashers
didymium safety glasses
fiber blanket
beading tray

Steps:

Ceramic Beads

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Figure A
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Figure B
1. Roll out clay into a thin slab using a rolling pin.

2. Cut out shapes in the clay using a needle tool (figure A).

  • Cut a large circle with a hole in the middle (donut shape) for the large pendant.
  • Cut five triangles, five squares and five smaller circles.
  • Remove the excess clay and smooth the edges of each shape using your fingers (figure B).

3. Cut high temperature wire into 1-inch pieces. Bend one end into a loop using round nose pliers. Cut two wires for each bead.

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Figure C
4. Insert the non-looped end of each wire into the center of the edge of each bead shape. Insert another wire into the opposite edge of each bead shape (figure C).

5. Lay the shapes between two plaster wallboards to dry flat for about two days.

6. Bisque-fire the beads at 2000 degrees for approximately eight hours.

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Figure D
7. Paint the beads with underglazes in desired colors. Use pliers to hold the wire (which were inserted into the beads in step #4) while painting (figure D). Let dry.

8. Paint the beads with two coats of clear glaze. Let dry.

9. Load the beads onto wire racks in the kiln and glaze fire.

Also in this Episode
That's Clever! : Episode HCLVR-204
•Ceramic Necklace
•Photo Frame Box
•Funky Fiber Art Handbag
•Ceramic Flower Card