Project by Sally Evans from Centennial, Colo.
Sally was always surrounded by creativity as a child, but she didn't actively pursue her own until she moved to Denver and attended art school. She started experimenting with polymer and precious metal clays while taking metalsmith classes. In this project, she explains how to create a leaf pendant.
Materials:
Teflon nonstick work surface or back of playing card
four playing cards
olive oil
pkg. of PMC 3 clay
plastic wrap
rubber stamp(s) of your choice
acrylic tube or rolling pin
kemper square cutters (various sizes) or craft knife
round copper tubing, needle tool or coffee stirrer to cut holes
fingernail file
kiln
brass brush
soap
tumbler
burnishing compound
4 to 5" of 18 to 20 gauge silver wire
jump rings
bead or pearl and crystal
head pin
chain or silk cord
round-nose pliers
flat-nose pliers
Steps:
- Prepare the work surface by laying out a Teflon sheet. Have four playing cards stacked on either side. Have a small container of olive oil ready.
- Put olive oil on your hands.
- Take a piece of clay out of the package that is big enough to make the pendant. Wrap the rest tightly in plastic.
- Roll out the clay between the playing cards for an even sheet.
- Lightly oil the clay, and place the rubber stamp on top. Roll over the stamp with your rolling pin to get a good impression.
- Using the square cutters, cut a larger square and a smaller square.
- Cut the windows from inside the squares with the smaller cutters.
- Make holes in both the top and bottom of each square with the copper tubing, punching out the excess clay in between. You can also use the coffee stirrer or needle tool to make holes.
- Set aside to dry.
- Once the pieces are dry, gently sand any rough edges.
- Fire in the kiln at 1650 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Let the piece cool in the kiln, or remove and quench in water. (You cannot quench a piece if it has any stones, glass, etc. included).
- Brass-brush the piece with soap and water.
- Place in the tumbler with stainless-steel shot to burnish and shine.
- Add the jump rings between the squares to connect them.
- Add a bead and crystal onto a head pin and connect it to the bottom of the smaller square with a wrapped loop.
- Form an S hook for the top of the piece to hang it from a chain.
Website: www.sallyevansart.com
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