Introduction: Polymer Clay Pendant

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This pendant uses a few basic polymer clay techniques. It is best done with a pasta machine (mainly for skinner blends).

Supplies

  • 2 main colors of polymer clay. I used Fimo professional true red, and Fimo soft peppermint. 1 small part black (I used Fimo professional black).
  • Either scrap clay or any other color for the pendant backing.
  • A pasta machine for conditioning clay and making skinner blends.
  • pliers (best to have 2)
  • sharp blades (I have a pack of 3 Fimo brand blades, but I also used exacto knife blades).
  • Pendant form or cookie cutter.
  • rolling pin
  • Wet sand paper (450, 800, 1500)
  • Metal wire
  • A ceramic tile or glass plate make the best work and baking surface. I currently don't have any so I use a sturdy plastic sheet that can be wiped off for working, and an old baking tin for the oven (careful - some plastics react badly with clay)
  • Alcohol wipes - for cleaning your hands and surfaces while you work.
  • (oven for baking the clay)

Step 1: Make a Pendant Shaped Cutter

I created my pendant shape by reshaping a rectangular cookie cutter.

Step 2: Make the Backing

  1. Roll out the conditioned scrap clay to medium setting on the pasta machine.
  2. cut out the shape
  3. bake according to the manufacturers instructions.

Step 3: Make Small Skinner Blends

Since I only made 2 pendants, I made a very small amount of - Black to Red skinner blend and Black to Peppermint skinner blend. You can find great video tutorials online for making skinner blends!

  1. Put the main color through the thickest setting of the pasta machine. Cut it in half and stack it.
  2. Add the black as a triangle shape to one side of your rectangle.
  3. Run it through the pasta machine on the thickest setting.
  4. Fold in half and run through the pasta machine again. Make sure that its put through so that both colors are touching the machine every time.
  5. Repeat the process while getting thinner on the pasta machine. Make sure not to let the clay spread sideways too much.
  6. When it is blended run it through the machine from black toward red on a low setting creating a long ribbon.
  7. Create a 'plug', folding the clay back and forth.

Do this for both the red and peppermint.

Step 4: Make the Background

  1. Cut each skinner blend in 2 length wise.
  2. Gently roll them flat.
  3. On the peppermint blend gently push the blend to wrap around your finger (or a small rolling pin) - creating an indent in the black.
  4. Press it onto the baked backing.
  5. Add the red blend stretching it slightly to create a 'candy corn' look
  6. press the cookie cutter over the form to trim the edges.
  7. smooth down the edges with a clean finger
  8. bake again.

Step 5: Make a Small Bulls Eye Cane

  1. Roll a small 'sausage' from red clay.
  2. Roll a small rectangular sheet from the peppermint.
  3. Trim the length of the peppermint so it fits around the red exactly.
  4. Roll into an even 'sausage'.
  5. You can now cut thin slices from the cane.

Step 6: Add the Details

  1. start by wet sanding the 'candy corn' backgrounds.
  2. Add slices of the bulls eye cane directly over the seam between the peppermint and red colors. Gently press them down. I use the side of my blade to press.
  3. You can roll the cane thinner to create different sizes.
  4. smooth down the slices. I use a metal knitting needle.
  5. Bake again.


Step 7: Add a Hook

  1. Bend the metal wire with a loop on one end, and an 'elbow' on the other.
  2. Position it on the back of the piece and stick it down with additional scrap clay.
  3. smooth it down
  4. Bake for the last time.

This step is last for me because I found it hard to decide which type of connector I want to add.

Step 8: Finish

  1. Wet sand the piece. I use 450, 800 and 1500.
  2. You can wax or varnish for a shinier finish.