https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/arrow-necklace-and-bonus-evileye-pendant-with-nunn-designs-crystal-clay-2 • Posted by Asherah Arts (formerly Lee Rose)
I set out to make a necklace that looked like a suspended arrow out of a heart-shaped bezel, and when Nunn designs sent me the clay AND the heart bezel, I knew it was time. Then after I had accidentally mixed up some extra clay I had to think quick and make a new pendant.
I set out to make a necklace that looked like a suspended arrow out of a heart-shaped bezel, and when Nunn designs sent me the clay AND the heart bezel, I knew it was time. Then after I had accidentally mixed up some extra clay I had to think quick and make a new pendant.
Gather your supplies: Clay, Beads(I used an old necklace), Bezel, Feathers, String, something to burnish with (I used a wood egg covered in wax paper because I wanted a deep, rocky texture), not pictured: india ink and small brush to apply it with, a strong glue, scissors, needle, and a clasp if you want the piece to open (it's long enough that this isn't necessary)
Mix up your clay, since its a 2 part epoxy it comes labelled parts a and b which you mix in equal amounts. Lay your clay into your bezel, making sure to overlap the indention in the heart a little
shape your clay into a slightly pyramid shape to give the general appearance of an arrowhead
using the egg/wax paper tool, roll some wrinkles/cracks/crevices into the surface of the clay. Repeat until you have a texture you are happy with. Let cure 24 hours
When clay is cured, make a light inkwash by diluting your ink with water. Paint your light inkwash over the whole clay piece. After that use your small brush to pick up some full strength ink and drop it into the deeper textures you imprinted in the clay. Polish the whole piece with a cloth (the ink/clay combo takes on a beautiful sheen when buffed a little. This is also a good time, if you were bad at keeping your clay inside the bezel like me, to scrape off any crunchies around the edge of your pendant)
for a 36 inch long pendant, cut 2 pieces of 36 inch thread( I double mine over for a little extra strength). Run your first piece through your pendant, and then with both ends through the eye of the needle, begin threading your beads. When you reach the length you want, run the thread through the bead again to make it more sturdy and stable. Tie off your end with a clasp. Run your other length of thread(doubled) through pendant and tie off with other half of clasp.
snip the feather tips off so you have a size more appropriate for your necklace
putting a small bead of glue in the tip of the feathers shaft push them into the holes on your wooden beads. If the feather is a little too thick for the hole, you may have to take a pair of detail scissors and snip vertically upwards so parts of it can lay over itself.
When the glue is dry there is only one more step. Wear it with pride! Photo courtesy of my beautiful model Heather Kirchhoff
I made an extra pendant because I had accidentally made a little too much clay, this one was basically just putting the clay in a bezel, selecting a large glass [evil eye] bead, and after that was set just dropping the piece down into my no-home seed beads. after they stuck I just pressed them in a little better and let cure. Photo courtesy of Heather Kirchhoff