Image Transfer Pendant

Materials:

Kato Polyclay clear medium
Kato Polyclay: 2 oz. each black, white
Kato Nublade
inkjet-printed image on Epson glossy photo paper #SO41649
clean cosmetic sponge
acrylic rod
water in bowl
600-grit wet/dry sandpaper
ColorBox fluid chalk palette: Autumn Pastels
text rubber stamp
ceramic tile
150-grit sanding block
hand drill
buna rubber cord
clay-dedicated pasta machine
Lisa Pavelka’s Poly Bonder

Note: All polymer clay must be conditioned prior to use.

Steps:

1. To condition clay: Cut the block into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Roll each slice with an acrylic rod to thin them so that they are just a bit thicker than the thickest setting of the pasta machine. Roll a slice through the thickest setting of the pasta machine. Reset the pasta machine, skipping one setting to the third-thickest setting, and roll through again. Finish by folding and rolling clay through until clay is soft and pliable.

2. To make the transfer: Trim image with scissors. Using cosmetic sponge, dab clear medium onto image, making certain that the entire image is lightly coated with medium (figure A).

3. Roll a sheet of conditioned white clay through thickest setting of the pasta machine.

4. Place the image face down onto white clay sheet and burnish with fingers. Roll lightly with acrylic rod.

6. Bake for 10 minutes at 275 F degrees.

7. When cured and cool, drop image into a bowl of water and let soak for at least 15 minutes; then remove from water. In some cases, the paper might float off the clay. If it does not, remove paper by peeling away a corner and pulling paper off (figure C). Let dry. Note: If any paper remains on surface, lightly rub with fingertips and the paper will roll off.

8. When piece is dry, you will notice a chalky white residue covering the image. Lightly sand with 600-grit sandpaper to remove it, and wipe off with damp towel.

9. Ink stamp with ColorBox inks and stamp text onto the image (figure D). Dry by either heating with heat gun or place piece back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes at 275 F degrees.

10. When piece is cool, lightly coat the image with clear medium and cosmetic sponge. Heat in the oven for 5 minutes at 275 F degrees to cure the medium.

11. To make the setting: Roll conditioned black clay through the thickest setting of the pasta machine.

12. Place sheet on ceramic tile. Place the transfer onto the sheet, face up (figure E).

13. Roll another sheet of black clay, also through the thickest setting of the pasta machine. Cut into 4-1/2-inch-wide wide strips.

14. Turning each strip over, place one strip on one side of the image transfer and place another along the opposite side. Make sure the strips are snug against the transfer piece (figure F).

15. Following the arc of the top of the transfer piece, cut through the strips only (figure G). Then, in the same way, trim the strips along the bottom of the transfer piece.

16. Lay a strip across the top of the transfer piece. Lay the last strip across the bottom of the transfer piece (figure H). To eliminate the seams, lightly rub with finger.

17. Using Nublade, cut the black clay to create the finished pendant shape (figure I).

18. Bake tile and all at 275 F degrees for 30 minutes.

19. When piece is cool, remove from tile and sand all the black clay with the 150-grit sanding block. Return to the oven for 5 minutes at 275 F degrees to matte the black setting.

20. To finish: Drill two holes into pendant that will receive the ends of the rubber cord (figure J).

21. Using Poly Bonder, glue ends of cord into holes (figure K). You may wish to add "O" rings; simply thread them onto the cord before gluing and then slide them down to the pendant after the ends are secured.