Paintbrush and Palette Pendant

I made this pendant for an artist friend of mine. I chose the colors of the palette based on a painting she did. I placed them in the same order ,from top to bottom, as I saw them in her painting. Hope she likes it.

I used steel, brass and, polymer clay.

Step 1: Mount a nail in a drill press

Spin a nail in a drill press. Use a file to make the profile of a paint brush. Once you have the shape you want hammer it flat. Continue the refine the shape with a file. Just like my steel butterfly pendant.

For the collar of the brush, cut a small piece of brass and wrap it around just above the bristles. Solder it in place. Solder brass wire above and below the collar to make it look more believable.

Comments

[petalee]

What's/is there an alternative tool you can use to press the nail flat?

[Mrballeng]

The nail was hammered flat with just a common hammer. The only other tool you could probably use is a rolling mill but I think a hammer would be best even if you have access to one.

[eggplanthunter]

Took a while to get pictures, but I made these as a gift a month ago.
The pallet is aluminium rather than steel, so it polished a bit odd and scratches easily.

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/1471/igp5335.jpg

[Mrballeng]

This is great! Who ever gets your earrings will be thrilled to have them. My hat off to you for pulling it off.  

[eggplanthunter]

'structables won't let me upload pictures

Album:
http://imageshack.us/g/814/igp5355.jpg/

[CrLz]

Beautiful!

[Nawaz]

Will make this one for an artist when I find that clay.. :P hope she'll like it

[kfavreau1]

Hi, I've been looking at your pieces and can you tell me what kind of torch you use?

[Mrballeng]

I bought this propane torch at walmart in the plumbing section for $15 dollars.

[MicioGatta]

I agree with what you say: "There's plenty of ugly duckling materials waiting to become swans, so get your hammer, light your torch, and get to making smiles.".... But I also think that you have to be very skilled to do something beautiful and complicated like this one. I think this is a bit too difficult, but the pendant is wonderful and the tutorial well done. :)

[ShoutOUT]

You should sell this, seriously.

[tinker234]

hey 2 paint brushes would make good earings

[Kryptonite]

They'd be the perfect addition to this, good idea!

[tinker234]

my sister wants some earings so i thought of this project have to get a drill press

[Kryptonite]

You don't need a drill press to do this, it just helps. A standard cordless / corded drill clamped securely or even a dremel could work... I probably wouldn't try the dremel method at first though, the power in one of those isn't very high and you'd have a fair time trying to do this I should think.

[tinker234]

ok thanks

[tokichu21]

This is simply beautiful! If you were selling this, I'd definitely purchase this as a necklace. Unfortunately, I don't have the proper equipment to make this myself =( Great and simply tutorial!

[facklere]

Wow. I saw the picture and thought, "Oh my god, that looks really hard," but your directions were really easy to read and your pictures are excellent. I might try making this.

[NaturalCrafter]

I enjoyed the process of making the pain pallet. Very nice piece.

[sunshiine]

This is absolutely beautiful! I would chrish one of these even though I am not an artist. I am of a different breed. Have talent but not in that department. Thanks so much for taking the time to share this. I will be looking for more of your wonderful works of art.

[Mrballeng]

Do tell. What's your talent?

[sunshiine]

I create. Sew, cook, quilt, and garden. I keep busy because I can't sit still. I actually enjoy cleaning. Anyway I saw this and had to comment because it was so unique. I may even try to make one. What I meant by I am not an artist is I can't draw or oil paint. My entire family are artist in that way but I missed that department by a long shot. I have talent in other areas that stand out.

[bonecholampworks]

Georgeous! I rarely work with metal anymore, however, you've given me inspiration! A lovely piece, and very thoughtful of you! (way beats a box of chocolates anyday!!!) Thanks for the awesome instructable!

[Mrballeng]

Thanks.

[TheGeek1984]

Quick question, re: step 4, picture 2 - does that piece of metal stay there forever, or do you remove it before it bakes?

[Mrballeng]

It stays there. Otherwise I think the clay would fall out.

[trophywife]

this is beautiful!!!

[Mr.Sanchez]

As soon I get my Dremel Lithium-Ion cordless Stylus, I´ll Try this awesome project.

[apdog4]

oh i would so make this if i had those materials, that would be a cool necklace to have cause i'm an artist

[CamillaLuvzMusic]

SOOOOOOO beautiful!!

[foobear]

nifty!

[mslaynie]

I thought I was the only one to use a pen as a way of roughly cutting things out!

[emilygraceking]

This is so beautiful! I love it so much, and the colors are perfect of course :)

[tinker234]

dang it today my siter birthday and i found this i did not make her anything or buy soething ohwell chirstmas presen it is

[ehudwill]

Bravo! My oldest daughter would love this.

[poofrabbit]

As always plain AWESOME! I'm around some of these tools this summer, I might give this a try, In a week I'm doing your butterfly bracelet, I'm so excited! (still keeping my eye out for the right year pennies!)

[Chirpoff]

That's so cool! I'm also an artist, and this was really cool to see as I was 'ibling around! I'm sure your friend loved it! Maybe I might figure out how to make one for myself...someday...:)