DIY Network

Faux Turquoise From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-203

Finished "turquoise" beads.

Lisa Pavelka shares her formula for using polymer clay to create the look of turquoise.

Blue, green and white polymer clay
Black acrylic paint
600 grit wet/dry automotive grade sandpaper
Clay blade
Pasta machine
Needle tool
Buffing wheel (or 100% cotton cloth)
Baby wipes

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

1. Mix equal parts of blue, green, and white clay to make turquoise (figure A).

   
   

2. Use the clay blade to chop the turquoise clay into small chunks (figure B).

   
   

3. Lightly compress approximately one tablespoonful of the chopped clay into a ball with the palms of your hands (figure C).

   
   

4. Use your palm to roll the clay back together leaving the crevices in place and create an authentic appearance. If it is too smooth, gouge and scratch the clay’s surface with the corner of the clay blade to add new ones.

   
   

5. Bake in a 275-degree fahrenheit oven for 40 minutes.

   
   

6. Rub black acrylic paint over the entire surface of the cabochon. Make sure to get the paint into the crevices of the clay.

   
   

7. Using a light touch, rub off as much as possible with a baby wipe. Do not wipe paint out of the crevices.

   
   

8. Once the paint is dry, sand the beads with moistened 600 grit wet dry sand paper and buff to a high shine on a muslin wheel. Hand buffing may also be done with a cotton cloth or piece of denim. Clay may have to be sanded several times to get the look of polished turquoise.

RESOURCES :
Kato Polyclay
Van Aken International
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Phone: 909-980-2001
Website: www.vanaken.com
Website: www.katopolyclay.com

GUESTS :
Lisa Pavelka
Artist/Designer
Heart in Hand Studio
Website: www.heartinhandstudio.com