DIY Network

Faux Lapis Faux Lapis From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-309

	Faux-Lapis Pendant
	Figure A

Materials: (figure A)

Kato Poly Clay, 1 block blue and 1 block black
Kato clear medium
Gold leaf
22-gauge gold wire
No. 3 nylon bead cord (with needle attached)
2 knot-hider findings (bead tips)
Future floor wax
Small piece of paper
Poly-Tools round bead-roller
Knotting tweezers
Gold seed beads
Pasta machine (dedicated to clay)
Small paper cups
Ceramic tile
Kemper tool-punch
Circle-cutter
1,000-grit wet/dry sandpaper
Flay paintbrush
Clear nail polish

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Making the Necklace

1. Mix and condition one block of blue Poly Clay and a quarter-size amount of black clay by kneading thoroughly. Roll out the clay, using the thickest setting of the pasta machine.

2. Apply a sheet of gold leaf to the clay and roll through the pasta machine, using the third-thickest setting.

	Figure B
	Figure C

3. Tear the clay sheet into dime-size square sections, then roll each section into a ball (figure B).

4. Place each ball into the round bead-roller; roll back and forth until each ball is uniform in shape (figure C). Make 10 beads.

5. Create a hole in each bead using 22-gauge wire. Push the wire through the clay ball until it shows through the other side, then set the bead aside, with the wire still in place.

6. Create an armature to rest the beads on with a small piece of paper folded accordion-style.

7. Set the wire, with the attached bead, into slits cut into the folds of the paper. Place the paper on a ceramic tile.

8. Create the faux-lapis doughnut by rolling out the excess clay (mixed with gold leaf), using the thickest setting of the pasta machine. Double the thickness of the sheet by cutting it in half and stacking one sheet on top of the other.

9. Cut out the circle using the circle-cutter. Cut out the center using the Kemper punch-tool.

Figure D

10. Smooth edges on both the outside and inside circles of the doughnut using your fingers. Apply a small amount of Kato clear medium and smooth over the clay with your fingers (figure D).

11. Bake the doughnut and the beads, still on the paper, at 275 degrees for 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely.

12. The beads can be sanded using 1,000-grit wet/dry sandpaper under running water to create a smooth, polished look.

13. Polish the beads and donut with Future floor wax, applying with a paintbrush. Allow to dry completely.

14. Condition the nylon cord by pulling and stretching until any creases disappear.

15. Tie a double knot at the end of the cord and apply a drop of clear nail polish to help keep it in place. Slip a knot-hider bead onto the cord and tie a knot at the bottom end to keep it in place.

16. Tie another knot approximately halfway down one side of the cord. Slide a gold seed bead down to the knot and tie another knot on the other side of the bead. Continue tying on seed beads every few inches or in the pattern of your choice. Alternate with the lapis beads as desired. Place gold seed beads, then knots, on either side of each lapis bead to hold it in place.

17. Tie the cord around the lapis doughnut and double-knot the bead, securing it in place on the cord.

18. Continue to knot seed and lapis beads until the cord is the desired length, making sure both sides of the necklace are even in length.

19. Thread the cord through the knot-hider on the other side of the cord and knot around the existing knot to hold in place.

20. Attach a clasp to the knot-hider on each side of the necklace. Squeeze with pliers to secure.

GUESTS :

Anne Igou
Artist/Designer
We apologize no contact information is available.