DIY Portrait Earrings
Cameos are a portrait style of jewelry that originated in ancient Egypt but gained popularity thanks to England's Queen Victoria. The classic cameo design is a light-colored portrait profile set against a darker background. The portrait is usually raised higher to make it more of a focus. Create portrait cameo earrings using polymer clay, a rubber mold and store bought earring findings.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Polymer clay, 2 colors
- Cameo mold
- Craft knife
- Pendant frames
- Craft glue
- Clear gloss varnish spray
- Jump ring
- Earring wire hook
- Pliers
Instructions
-
-
1
Open the pack of polymer clay in the color you plan to use for the face on the portrait cameo. Knead the clay with your hands until it softens. Pull off a small piece from the clay and carefully press it into the cameo mold. Work slowly as you only want the face portion of the mold filled with this color. Make adjustments, as needed.
-
2
Prepare the second color of clay. Press it into the mold on top of the first color. Smooth out the surface when the clay reaches the upper edge of the mold.
-
-
3
Flip the mold over and press on the front to pop out the cameo. Use a craft knife to carefully trim away any excess amount of the first color that might have adhered to the second. Patch up any mistakes with small pieces of the second color.
-
4
Place the pendant on a cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for an hour.
-
5
Use craft glue to coat the inner backing of the pendant frame. Press the cameo into place and allow to set for 10 minutes. Spray the cameo with clear gloss varnish spray and allow to sit for another 10 minutes.
-
6
Loop an open jump ring through the opening at the top of the pendant frame. Slide the bottom, looped end of an earring wire hook over an end of the jump ring. Clamp the jump ring closed with pliers to connect the three pieces.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Check before you purchase the supplies that the backing of the pendant frame will fit a cameo of the size the mold produces. The mold and pendant packaging should specify these sizes in millimeters.
