How to Make a Flip-Flop Necklace

Making a flip-flop shaped necklace is a simple project.

A flip-flop shaped necklace pendant made with polymer clay makes a fun, unusual accessory for summer. Polymer clay comes in variety of colors, allowing you to make several pendants to match your outfits. You can also mix and match various shades of polymer clay to create a multicolored pendant. Use copper wire and a simple metal chain necklace to finish your creation.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Polymer clay
• Rolling bin
• Precision knife or scalpel
• Drill and drill bit -- 1/16 to 1/8 inch diameter
• Copper wire, 20- or 22-gauge
• Wire cutters
• Round-nose pliers
• Metal chain necklace

Instructions

1. Draw the outline of a flip-flop using a pencil and white paper. The size should be exactly the size you want your pendant to be. Cut out the shape and set it aside.

2. Take a small piece of the polymer clay and condition it by hand -- kneading, rolling or manipulating it like bread dough. If you would like to use several colors, take small pieces of each and knead them into a ball.

3. Use the soft conditioned clay ball to form the flip-flop. Place the ball onto a hard surface -- such as a cutting board, kitchen counter or plastic-covered table -- and push it flat with your palm. Use a rolling pin to flatten the clay until it's about 1/10 to 1/4 inch thick, based on your preference.

4. Place your cutout paper shape of a flip-flop onto the flattened clay. Use a precision knife or scalpel to cut out a flip-flop-shaped piece, by cutting around the paper outline.

5. Bake the clay flip-flop at 275 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes, or as directed in the package.

6. Use a drill and narrow bit to make a hole on the top part of the flip-flop, centered approximately 1/4 inch from the top edge -- where the toes would go. The hole should be large enough to fit the copper wire through twice. Wet-sand or buff the clay to create a nice finish on the surface, if desired.

7. Cut a roughly 3-inch length of copper wire, with wire cutters, and make a small round loop on the end with round-nose pliers. Insert the wire through the hole so that the loop stays on the front side of the flip-flop. The copper wire will form the straps of the flip-flop.

8. Bend the wire tightly against the bottom of the flip-flop, past its left side and through the loop on the front. Then pull the wire through the hole on the clay again. Bend the wire wire tightly against the bottom of the flip-flop, past the right side of the flip-flop and through the loop again. Use the pliers to wrap the end of the wire through the loop -- forming a knot to securely attach it to the clay. Cut off any extra wire.

9. Pull a metal chain necklace through the copper wire loops so that it travels under the knot you made.

Tips & Warnings

• As another alternative, use yarn to create the straps for your flip-flop.

• Use copper wire in whatever color you choose, to coordinate with the clay. It's available in a wide range of colors for jewelry making.

• Do not rub your eyes when working with polymer clay. Wash your hands after working with it.

• Always bake the polymer clay in a room with good ventilation.

• Although polymer clay is nontoxic it can release irritating fumes. Clean your oven after baking the clay with baking soda and water. This will remove any residue left behind that can cause fumes the next time you use the oven. If you prefer, bake the flip-flop inside a sealed baking bag to capture any residue released from the clay.

References

• Making Polymer Clay Beads: Step-by-step Techniques for Creating Beautiful Ornamental Beads by Carol Blackburn
• Stampington and Company: Polymer Clay Basics