Polymer Bracelets
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First we begin with packages of polymer clay. It is preferred to use the Premo brand, although Fimo, Fimo Soft, and Sculpey III are used. Then prepare the clay so that it can be used. This is called “conditioning.” It involves kneading the clay until it is ready to be used. Depending on the stiffness of the clay and the amount, this process can take from 15 to 30 minutes. Next form the beads (or pendants, pins, or other items) out of clay. Notice that at this time the beads are plain and without any decoration. The amount of time it takes to form the beads varies depending on the size, shape, and number of beads being made. This step can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more!
After the beads are formed, apply some type of design to decorate them. One technique that can be used is to create a “cane.” Then combine different colors and shapes of clay to create a design. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more, depending on the complexity of the cane! The finished cane is usually too large to be used to decorate the beads, so it must be “reduced” to a more usable size. Note the reduced cane next to the original. This involves using a surgically sharp blade to remove slices from the cane or mokume gane and applying it to the bead. After applying the designs to the beads, do the final steps of preparation before firing them. At this time, pierce holes in beads, attach hooks to pendants, etc. At last the beads are ready to be fired. Then bake them in a household oven at 260-275 degrees (depending on the manufacturer’s instructions for each brand of clay). At this point they could be strung for a necklace or bracelet…but they are still rough. There is plenty of good “finishing” work left to make these beads even more beautiful. Once the items are completely sanded, buff them to a high shine. Then it gets ready to apply the glaze. Use an acrylic finish which bonds with the clay. Then heat-set the glaze for added strength. After applying two (sometimes three) coats of glaze to the beads, they are finished! These beads are then stringed into a bracelet.
This entry was posted on Friday, August 15th, 2008 at 5:09 am and is filed under Polymer Clay Jewelry. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.