Creepy Formerly Decapitated Necklace

It is so nice that the mad scientist reattached your head after his experiments... he just doesn't seem very proficient at plastic surgery.

Guess it's better than being headless...

Fun, simple necklace I designed for a Halloween party. Easy and affordable to make.

(Entry in the play with clay contest, vote if you like it!)

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Step 1: Stuff

Tools & Supplies:

Black Sculpey Polymer Clay
20 gauge Red Copper Wire (in the jewelery making section)
Cookie sheet or glass bake ware
Dinner Knife
Scissors
Device of flattening (I used a highlighter)
Waxed Paper (or silicon baking mat if you have one)

Optional:
Round nose pliers (or other needle nose pliers)
~~Clear Nail polish~~ Clear acrylic finish

jgreen27 says: Sep 18, 2011. 9:54 PM

here are my pics

PixyMcCrafty (author) in reply to jgreen27Sep 19, 2011. 11:37 AM

Looks great! :D

dluttrell says: Sep 15, 2011. 9:17 AM

Never use clear nail polish or any other solvent based finish on polymer clay. It will literally leave the surface tacky and never dry up. You can use a water based product, ot even the paste wax like Minwax to put a gloss on polymer. I have been a polymer clay artist for almost 30 years, so I know this from trial and error. This is a great project, though.

PixyMcCrafty (author) in reply to dluttrellSep 15, 2011. 10:18 AM

Mine dried well, pretty quickly too and the finish seems to be holding up well, but that is a good suggestion, this is the first time I have attempted to clear coat any polymer clay project, maybe I got lucky on that.

deni2me in reply to PixyMcCraftySep 15, 2011. 11:38 AM

I have heard of Polymer clay artists using Future floor polish to give their finished projects sheen. Wonder if that would make the items tacky?

dluttrell in reply to deni2meSep 18, 2011. 5:40 AM

Future worked well, but no one seems to be able to find it anymore. I haven't looked because I use Varathane, which is a water based polyurethane coating for wood. However, I think that it's either going out of business, or the stores around me are not carrying it anymore.
As for the nail polish, you might not find it to be tacky until it's hot outside, or you might have something that is water based. They don't put that on the label, but perhaps the companies are getting wiser about fumes. I don't think they make water based nail polishes, but I'm really not sure. If your project starts to get tacky after a while, you can put a water based coating over it, and it will seal. Unless you have fibers stuck to it, there's no need to sand it first.

hardlec in reply to dluttrellMay 25, 2012. 5:45 AM

Future floor wax is now lab led as pledge floor wax with future shine.

dgigout in reply to dluttrellSep 25, 2011. 8:06 AM

I got a bottle of it at Lowes...it's enough to last me the rest of my lifetime :)

Dexteravna says: Dec 27, 2011. 8:55 PM

I did this and it was so much fun!
And the little guy is ADORABLE! haha.
My niece and I had alot of fun pulling pranks on my uncles and aunts with a little fake blood we found.

klikkvuong says: Sep 15, 2011. 9:46 AM

Just remember to not use any pan or baking sheet for sculpey that you plan to use for food later. PVC clay can make you very very sick> I use wax paper so I can toss it after I'm done.

TheNerdyDuo in reply to klikkvuongOct 28, 2011. 7:14 AM

You should switch to parchment paper for oven stuff. Wax paper isn't really rated for baking, as the wax can melt or evaporate in the oven and still leave you with PVC on your pans.

NOODLE! says: Oct 13, 2011. 3:12 PM

this is awesome. i made it this yr, and creeped out one of my freinds. i use a piece of tin foil for all oven bake clay projects and it works very well.

starshipminivan says: Oct 5, 2011. 12:57 PM

Congrats on the win! I love this project! I can see some stitched necklaces in my future.

szukowski says: Sep 15, 2011. 10:51 AM

Great stuff! I'd recommend slightly curving the tips of each "X" before baking. That way, when you have the necklace against your skin, the ends of each "X" will indent the skin slightly, giving more of an appearance of being real stitches actually going into your skin.

I know what I'm doing for Halloween now....

whY incision in reply to szukowskiOct 1, 2011. 4:26 PM

I did this with mine. And I made my x's out of rounded segments as opposed to flat, with tapered tips. The effect is most excellent and I am very pleased. Sadly I cannot find my camera.

chicopluma says: Sep 30, 2011. 8:07 PM

wow cool and really simple

jmendez6 says: Sep 29, 2011. 10:27 AM

Hey! i've seen and favorited your project on CutOutandKeep! LOL Good job on being a finalist!

CherylDunham says: Sep 26, 2011. 6:29 PM

Oh wow! I'm doing a bus trip to Salem, Mass on the 29th. I'm a red hatter and have to make a costume. I've made my hat and costume, but this will ad the final touch! Thanks

mstyle183 says: Sep 26, 2011. 7:03 AM

good luck.. great Halloween idea

nanisimova says: Sep 25, 2011. 5:08 AM

Simple and totally awesome!

NOODLE! says: Sep 22, 2011. 2:43 PM

THAT. IS. AWESOME.

E-roc says: Sep 22, 2011. 11:34 AM

How do you keep the x's from breaking when put tight around your neck?

-thanks

PixyMcCrafty (author) in reply to E-rocSep 22, 2011. 12:03 PM

I haven't had any x's break, maybe you rolled them out too thin?

davIRE says: Sep 18, 2011. 2:55 AM

the idea of putting thin wire round my neck is... ghastly/ghoulish/monstrous.

halloween puns aside it should probably be stated a bit more clearly the importance of the hook easily releasing should it get caught on... well... anything. there's nothing wrong with the design above (im not having a go) i can just see someone scrunching up the wires for them to get caught and the necklace lives up to its name (sans the "formerly"). Kiddies: never ever ever secure wire round your neck. Its darwinian :P

avisser in reply to davIRESep 21, 2011. 3:19 AM

ehm... people have been wearing necklaces through the ages. Safety is good, but this might be a bit overdone.

davIRE in reply to avisserSep 21, 2011. 11:18 PM

necklaces are generally made with chains which contain links. Links contain inherent flaws which deform and break under duress. Solid guage wire does not. Chains will break if caught on something before strangling/decapitating you.

Solid wire will not.

PixyMcCrafty (author) in reply to davIRESep 18, 2011. 4:33 AM

Agreed, the 20 gauge wire will very easily unbend if snagged (i do not suggest changing the gauge at all) Do not twist the ends together (or hammer the hooks) a quick bend on both ends will create a simple hook, more of a safety hook, that will unbend under pressure. If you feel the need to add a clasp, go with a magnetic clasp that will also release. Safety first!

alfonse says: Sep 21, 2011. 6:41 PM

This is amazing! Also seems to be a pretty awesome and easy idea for a young kid.

jgreen27 says: Sep 18, 2011. 9:51 PM

i just made one for myself, one for my friend, and one for her 3 yr old. this is such an awesome idea!! i plan on being undead for halloween... this will go perfect with my costume... thanks!