DIY Network

Polymer Portrait Pendant From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-202

An heirloom portrait can find new life in this vintage-look polymer-clay pendant.

Guest Marie Segal shows how a favorite vintage photograph, a scrap of an heirloom tablecloth (her grandmother's) and polymer clay are combined to create a one-of-a-kind vintage pendant.

Materials:

Vintage costume jewelry, beads, chain rhinestones, etc.
2 oz. blocks of black, gold and ecru polymer clay
Small amount of inexpensive gin
Gold leaf
Old photograph or portrait that has been photocopied on a dry ink or toner copier
Large gold jump rings
Piece of old lace with pleasing pattern
Light blue pearlescent powder
Eye pins
Gold and silver pearlescent pigment
1 mm silk cord or 1/16" ribbon
Super-strength craft glue
Toothbrush
Pasta machine
Clay blade
Craft knife
Bamboo skewer
Awl (needle tool)
Pencil
Push mold in Victorian motif
Side cutter pliers

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

1. Condition the clay, then roll out ecru at thickest setting on pasta machine.

2. Place photocopied portrait or photograph down with the ink against they clay and rub with your finger to set it.

3. Next, gently dab gin on the back of the copy to saturate it. Rub with your finger until the paper starts to come away (figure A). Rub it off the clay, then use water to finish removing the paper and any gin residue.

4. Use craft knife to trim around the outside of the image.

5. Use pasta machine to roll out the black clay at the thickest setting and cut a piece larger than you will need.

6. Place gold clay atop black clay, cover with the lace (figure B), then run layered clay and lace through the pasta machine to texturize.

7. Adhere the ecru clay photo image atop the gold and black lacy clay (figure C), then trim around the black clay with the craft knife, leaving a border.

8. Mix one-quarter block each of gold and black clay to create a bronze color. Roll a coil of bronze clay 1/8" in diameter and at least 12" long. Fold the coil in half, then roll the coil at one end to "braid" the two halves together (figure D).

9. Wrap the bronze coil around the outside of the pendant piece you’ve been making; trim so the coil meets flush at the bottom.

10. Press a 3/4" ball of bronze clay into the mold and trim the back so it is flat. Remove from the mold and add the embellishment to the pendant (figure E).

11. Next, create 1" ball of bronze clay and roll into a cylinder. Skewer it to make a hole for the cord. Attach to the top of the pendant.

12. Dab on pearlescent powder to accentuate the vintage appearance. Add rhinestones and parts of jewelry you have torn apart from your grandmother’s old pieces.

13. Create holes for charms that will hang off the pendant.

14. Bake the piece in the oven and allow to cool.

15. Add the charms with the jump rings and findings. Suspend new pendant from a satin cord or chain.

RESOURCES :
Sculpey polymer clay
Polyform Products Inc.
Products available at craft and hobby stores.
Website: www.sculpey.com

GUESTS :

Marie Segal
Vice-President / Designer
Clay Factory, Inc.
P.O. Box 460598
Escondido, CA 92046-0598
Phone: 760-741-3242
E-mail: marie@clayfactoryinc.com
Website: www.clayfactoryinc.com