Cute Handmade Clay Jewelry
Cute, handmade clay jewelry can look like miniature robots, purple skulls, pets or tiny, delectable pastries. Clay jewelry comes in pastels, bright primaries and metallics. And not only can you wear clay jewelry, you can make it yourself. Different techniques can mimic other materials, like marble or precious stones. Clay -- particularly polymer clay -- is one of the most versatile materials for jewelry.
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Clay
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Coloring true clay requires glazes and other techniques. Clay is fine, naturally occurring silicate particles combined with water in a suspension, long used in art, pottery and jewelry. But true clay only comes in various earth tones, not the vibrant, fun colors available in other sculpting materials, specifically polymer clay, sometimes called plasticine. Rather than silicate, its fine particles are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and they're suspended in a plasticizer. The colors can be blended together. Firing (hardening) requires lower temperatures.
Tools
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Use traditional clay tools. Your hands are your primary tools when shaping clay for jewelry. Experiment with the effects you can get with a variety of other tools and objects. You'll need a thin, pointed implement such as a toothpick or dowel to make holes for beads to string. A pasta machine is handy for making large, flat sheets of clay, and you'll need a sharp tool for cutting.
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Methods
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Like muscles, warm clay is easier to work with. Cold polymer clay has a tendency to fracture and is nowhere near as pliable as when it's conditioned. Moving the clay in your hands, warming and massaging it makes it softer and less sticky, preparing it for whatever shape you have in mind. Once conditioned, you can shape it, press stamps into it or push it into molds. Once fired as directed on the package--usually in a home oven--you can string it or glue it.
Finishing
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Children's objects can make good resources. Once the pieces are fired, put them together with jewelry findings and other beads. Look for complimentary colors and interesting combinations, including colored wire, when choosing the final look. Add objects like gems, or hardware like washers or screws. If you do add these embellishments, plan ahead and make impressions of them in the soft clay so you can glue them on.
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References
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