Custom Cement Jewelry

Hello!

In this instructable, I will be showing you how to make custom jewelry using cement!

Feel free to make your pieces different and unique! What I made here is just an example but you can create whatever suits your taste!

Supplies

Oven bake polymer clay (any color): 1 package should be more than enough

Silicone Mold Putty: (Amount depends on the size of the piece)

Cement: (Amount depends on the size of the piece)

Leather Cord (or any other type of necklace string or chain)

Split rings: 1

Cord Findings: 1 set

Optional:

Beads or gemstones to be embedded into your piece

Step 1: Making the Piece From Clay

To make our jewelry piece, we are going to start by making our piece out of clay, and then later we will mold and cast it from cement.

To start, cut off a piece of your clay that is large enough for what you wish to make. In the example above, I was going for a spiral shape so I proceeded to roll the clay into a longer snake-like shape.

Next, I started to shape the spiral carefully, making sure not to squish the strand. I then used a knife to cut the snake after I reached the desired size for my spiral. I then went back in with a toothpick to fine-tune the detail and to make the crevices between the loops more defined.

Your process may look much different than mine depending on what shape you go for. Just go to the next step if you feel that if the clay was cement, you would be happy with the final result.

If you are adding beads or any other stone into your piece, gently press the bead into place to make an indentation. Once fully pressed in, remove the bead, leaving the empty indention.

Bake your clay according to the package instructions.

Let's make the mold!

Step 2: Making the Mold!

Start by combining the two parts of the silicone mold putty. For the one I used, I needed to combine the same amount of each part. If you are making a piece with an indentation to later put in a bead, put a small ball of putty in the indentation. Proceed to cover the whole piece in the putty but leave the back open so that we can remove it later and also so there is a smooth side after we cast the silicone (see image 4). Once the silicone is fully set (see package), remove the clay.

The mold is complete! Let's continue with the concrete!

Step 3: Casting in Concrete

Start by mixing the concrete powder and water. You want the consistency to be thick, but still pourable. Pour the concrete into the mold in a thin stream to reduce air bubbles. Once the mold is filled, tap it against the table a few times to let the air bubbles rise to the top.

After the concrete is set, remove it from the mold.

reuse the mold as many times as you want! The silicone last's very long!

Let's finish this necklace!

Step 4: Finishing Up!

Let's drill a hole in our cement piece so we can add a split ring later. I used a Dremel, but any drill should work fine (use a drill bit that best works for our piece). Add your bead back in place with some super glue. I used a toothpick to position it. Add a split ring (or jump ring) through the hole and close it using a pair of needlenose plyers. I then added the cord findings to the cord I was using. I cut an 18-inch length of leather cord. I used my needle nose plyers once again here to clamp down the cord findings. Just place the cord in the finding, and clamp down one side, followed by the other. Thread the cord through the loop and your done!

I hope you enjoyed this instructable and find it useful.

If you make your own, post a picture in the comments! I would love to see your unique designs!

Thanks!

Nathan