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Time: 40 mins

Polymer Clay Glitter Pendant Tutorial

Posted by Megan LaCore from San Jose, California, United States • Published 30th June 2009 • See Megan LaCore's 25 projects »

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Step 1
Select colors of clay to create a custom blend. Cut two portions of one color to allow for a second color blend for accent later. Here I'm using a fuchsia that I've cut two pieces of, one of which I'll set aside at first, as well as a silver pearl, a hot pink, and a translucent clay. The translucent won't necessarily change the color as much as the opacity of the clay, and since we're going to be adding glitter, a little translucent helps the glitter to show through.
Step 2
Now it's time to begin conditioning the clay for pliability. Stack all but the second chunk of fuchsia into a lump, pushing the layers together to push out air bubbles. Place the whole thing into a small plastic bag to protect the clay and your clothing or furniture, then use your body heat to warm the clay. I usually sit on it or put it in the pit of my knee or arm while I'm setting up the rest of my area. You can alternatively dice the clay up with a clay blade and work the clay bits back together, which I'll show you in another tutorial.
Step 3
Once the clay is warm, begin rolling the colors between your hands to start combining the clays. Fold the clay and continue rolling until the shape is pliable enough to put through the roller.
Step 4
Run the log through the pasta roller on the largest setting the long way. Fold the pressed clay in half, and put through the roller with the fold to the side. Fold and turn repeatedly until the colors begin to blend.
Step 5
Sprinkle a layer of glitter onto the polymer clay sheet, then continue folding and rolling the clay through the pasta roller until the glitter is mixed evenly through the clay.
Step 6
Roll the clay through the pasta roller until it's at your desired thickness, then lay out onto the parchment paper and cut shapes with cookie cutters. Set shapes aside, and collect clay scraps.
Step 7
Use stamps, found objects, or make tools to decorate the pendants. I'm using the rounded tip of an opened bob pin for the dots, a wire bent to a circle with the circle bent 90 degrees for the circle stamp, and a single high heel shoe as my center piece of the design.
Step 8
Cut a hole to hang your pendant using a coffee straw. Smooth the edges of the back of the hole for comfort of wearing and clean lines. Smooth the edges of the pendant lightly with your fingertips, and carefully buff out any finger prints left behind with light finger pressure or a smooth tool.
Step 9
Place jewelry pieces onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Parchment paper will protect the pieces from developing a shiny spot where the clay would be touching the metal.
Bake according to your clay's manufacturer directions.
Step 10
Fill recessed designs with acrylic paint in a coordinating color. I'm using a bamboo skewer as a brush here.
Step 11
Finish your pendant on the front and edges with acrylic sealer. I don't tend to seal the back because the pendant tends to stick to a bare chest more often if I do.

At this point, your pendant is complete! Allow sealer to completely dry, then create a beautiful piece of jewelry.