Precious Polymer
Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-652 -- More Projects »
The cost of semiprecious stones can really add up, but crafty mom Mary Lyon shows how simple it is to re-create the look of expensive jewelry with polymer clay (figure A).
- Polymer clay can be found at virtually any crafts and hobby store, and it's inexpensive.
- All instructions for working with polymer clay are written on the package.
- Be sure to never set the oven higher than 275 degrees for 25 minutes.
- A wide variety of colors are available.
Imperfections and specks (figure B) make the clay jewelry look more authentic. Turquoise Polymer Jewelry
Materials:
2-oz. bar turquoise polymer clay
2-oz. bar translucent polymer clay
2-oz. bar black polymer clay
nutmeg grater*
toothpick or other pointy tool
Steps:
- Cut turquoise and translucent bars in half.
Roll together equal parts of each half into a swirl (figure C).Break off a piece that is the size you desire for a bead.Rub black clay over nutmeg grater to get shavings.
Roll bead into the shavings and work them in as you prefer (figure D). Pound the bead into the grater to create a distressed, uneven surface.Poke hole in the middle of the bead with a toothpick or similar pointy object. Go through on one end until you feel it poke through with your finger. Remove, then poke through on the other side to create a smooth hole.Repeat previous steps for each bead, then bake according to package directions. Coral Polymer Jewelry
Materials:
2-oz. bar red polymer clay
2-oz. bar translucent polymer clay
2-oz. bar orange polymer clay
nutmeg grater
toothpick or other pointy tool
Steps:
- Cut first two bars in half, as in previous project.
- Use a thin roll of orange clay and mix the three colors together.
- Cut the bar a couple of times and combine again.
Pound swirl into nutmeg grater. Don't worry about the grater being dirty--the extraneous clay will just make the coral appear more realistic (figure E). Poke hole through each bead, as in previous project.Repeat for each bead.
Bake according to package instructions, then string as desired (figure F). * Note: Be sure the nutmeg grater is only used for clay. Do not use it again for food.
Resources The Frazzled Working Woman's Practical Guide to Motherhood
by Mary Lyon
Starburst Publishers, 1997
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Guests Mary Lyon
Author/Artist/Jewelry Designer/Craft Expert, Lori De Waal & Associates
Website:
www.frazz.com
Also in this Episode
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2002/09/05/ssl652_1a_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2002/09/05/ssl652_1b_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2002/09/05/ssl652_1c_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2002/09/05/ssl652_1d_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2002/09/05/ssl652_1f_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2002/09/05/ssl652_1e_e.jpg",350,450))
