DIY Network

Polymer Clay Butterfly Necklace From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-112

Creating this polymer clay work of art is fun for all ages!

Janet Pitcher uses several colors of polymer clay to assemble a pastel butterfly necklace.

Materials:

Sculpey Premo polymer clay - 2 oz. each of Purple, Cadmium Yellow, Fuchsia, Green; 4 oz. White
Beading wire and closure or elastic beading string
Super-strength glue
Pasta machine
Tissue blade for slicing
Dedicated toaster oven/ oven thermometer (home oven may be used)
Skewers for piercing beads
Non-porous work surface such as a ceramic tile

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

1. Condition the clay, then blend 1 oz. Purple clay with ½ oz. White to create lavender. Roll on thickest setting on pasta machine (#1) to create a rectangle approximately 2-1/2" X 3".

2. To create pink, blend 1 oz. fuschia clay with 1 oz. white. Create the same type of rectangle as in step 1. Next, roll 1/4 oz. green clay with 1 oz. yellow to create lime green. Roll through pasta machine to create the same width rectangle as for pink and lavender clay.

3. Stack the three rectangles in the following order: green, then lavender, then pink. Trim excess clay to create a square stack measuring 2-1/2" x 3".

4. Next, press short end of rectangle to flatten, and then begin rolling like a jellyroll.

5. Roll lightly on work surface, moving fingers outward to reduce cane to about 1/2 inch. Cut length of cane in half and set one half aside. Continue to reduce one half of cane by rolling to about 1/4" wide (figure A).

6. To make butterfly, take 2 slices about 5mm thick off each of the two canes. Lay them in a mirror image to create the wings. Press top and bottom wings together lightly. Create a support bead with green clay by forming a rectangle about 3/4" by1/2" and 5mm wide. Press the wings gently onto this base (figure B).

7. For the body use a small ball of green, purple or pink clay and roll into a snake. Place the body at the center of the wings (figure C). Press lightly to hold. Pierce a hole with small skewer through the top half of the rectangle.

8. Use remaining clay canes to create accent beads. First, slice off 5mm beads and pierce with skewer.

9. Slice thin pieces off cane and lay on solid color bead. Roll in hands to smooth into ball. Pierce with skewer.

10. Roll covered ball into cylinder shaped bead then add contrasting end caps. Pierce with skewer.

11. Make flower bead by taking 5 small jellyrolls lengths of cane and laying them around solid green center log. Slice and pierce as directed above.

12. To finish, bake all beads at 265 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. String cooled beads on beading wire with closure or on elastic beading string then tie knot and secure with super glue.

GUESTS :

Janet Pitcher
Owner/Operator
Two Can Clay
Phone: 858-335-1129
E-mail: twocanclay@san.rr.com
Web site: www.twocanclaydesigns.com