Today, I want to show you how to create a unique polymer clay pendant titled “The Flame of My Heart”. I hope you will find it interesting for you.
Materials & tools for making polymer clay pendant
To make this jewelry piece, you need such materials and tools:
- First, prepare a colorful sheet of clay using any technique you know. For example, Mokume Gane, Sutton Slice, or Hidden Magic. That will be the central part of the pendant. The thickness of this sheet of clay should be around 2.5mm.
- Also, you need to prepare a sheet of clay in bronze color (or any color you want). The thickness of this sheet should be around 1.5mm.
- We will use the bone imitation technique for the frame, so you need one part of gold clay and 4-5 parts of white polymer clay. So, when you mix it, you will get a very light golden beige color, which will remind you of a bone color.
- It would help if you had golden powder, like PearlEx.
- Liquid clay.
- Cutter, medium size, any shape you like;
- Blade for polymer clay;
- Acrylic roller;
- Pasta machine;
- Dome-shaped metal or glass base;
- A thin plastic bag or plastic wrap;
- Sandpaper 400, 600, 800, 1000 grid;
- Buffing tool (Dremel, Foredom, or varnish for polymer clay)
Shaping and cutting the central design of the pendant
First, you need to cut the shape of the central part of your pendant. So, choose a pattern and put it on the plastic wrap to make the edges more curved and cut out the shape. Correct the edges of your workpiece with a thin blade for polymer clay.
Then, place your colorful workpiece on a curved base surface (a lightbulb, the bottom piece of the cane, or some small bowls. Also, it can be a glass bottle or vase) and lightly smooth the workpiece with your fingers.
Mixing, Texturing, and Assembling the Polymer Clay Frame
The next step is to mix the “bone” color of polymer clay to make the frame for our pendant. You need to mix one part (a tiny piece) of gold color (I love to use my work Premo clay) with 4-5 parts of white clay. So you need to get a very light golden beige color.
When the mixing is done, we make a beige sheet of clay with 2,5 mm thickness, and then you need to apply your texture on it. After you use the texture, the beige sheet of clay will get a 2mm thickness.
After this, you need to cover the beige textured sheet of clay with golden powder (PearlEx or any other you have). Then, cut out three strips, each about 1.0cm wide.
Attach all three stripes to the edges for your central part, and, using your fingers, press from the edges of the frame so that the frame and central part are glued together. Also, you can use liquid clay to help them stick together more firmly. Cut the ends at an angle.
Let’s bake & sand
Now, our top polymer clay pendant is ready for baking. I put my workpieces in a cold oven and set 150°C for 30 min. Once the thermometer reads 150°C, reduce the temperature to 140°C until baking is complete.
After baking, I sand the top of the workpiece with wet sandpaper of 400, 600, and 800 grids.
Crafting backside, attaching bail, and adding decorative touches
We start to make the backside of our pendant. For this, you need to take a prepared sheet of clay with 1,5mm thickness and use the texture sheet to create beautiful patterns for your pendant’s back. Then, apply the liquid clay on the back side of your workpiece, cut the required clay size from the textured sheet, and attach it to the back of the pendant. Trim off all the excess of clay.
After that, we need to make a bail for hanging on the cord. For this, you can take the bronzed sheet of clay; for example, fold it one time and cut out the strip in dimensions 1.5cm x 2.5cm, cut off from one side at an angle, and twist it into a straw.
Then, you need to glue it to your pendant from the backside by using liquid clay.
Finally, lightly apply golden powder to the bronzed details.
After that, put the finished pendant into an oven and bake it using the previous method (30 min, 140-150°C).
Final touches
When the baking is finished, you can sand your pendant slightly and polish it with the buffing machine (Dremel, Foredom) or varnish it with any varnishing for polymer clay. Afterward, hang the pendant on a rubber or other cord you prefer.
And that’s all! We done! You can make a unique polymer clay pendant in any color and shape you like.
I hope you enjoyed the lesson, and I wish you great inspiration and good luck.
