Faux Silver Pendant

Today's project is great either for yourself or as a quick and easy stocking stuffer.

Here's what you need to make your own~

Materials:
-Polymer clay
-Silver leaf
-craft knife
-optional:
   -pasta machine for flattening clay
   -soft brush
   -straight edge

Steps:
1) Condition your clay by warming it up in your hands and rolling it into a soft egg shape.

2) Run it through your pasta machine (used for clay only, not for food) on the thickest setting.  If you don't have a pasta machine for crafting just roll out your clay until it's about 1/8" thick or so.

3) Lay your flattened clay piece down on a cutting surface (I like to use a ceramic tile but anything will do), and cut it into a long skinny rectangle.

I may need a new 'straight edge'.

4) Tear off a piece of silver leaf and gently lay it on top of your clay rectangle.  Using a very soft clean brush gently brush it into the clay.

5) Use your knife to cut off the edges and then turn it over to do the back.

If your leaf splits or breaks don't worry about it.  Just lay another piece down and keep brushing until it blends into the other pieces.  It doesn't have to be perfect, that's part of the beauty of the piece.

6) Now, very very gently roll one end around a pencil or other smallish object to create a loop on one end.

The silver leaf will start to crack.  Don't freak out.  You can either just leave it or add more silver leaf on top and continue to brush it in.

7)  If you just want a nice plain bar, bake your clay piece in the oven following the directions on the clay packet.  If you want to add an extra special touch and you have a stamp that has lettering, you can personalize your piece to make it look like it's hammered.

"Love" & "Mom"

Once your piece is baked the silver is baked right onto the clay.  It shouldn't come off.  If it does though, you can seal your piece with some Mod Podge or Double Coat.  Either one will dry clear.

Don't worry if your loop at the top doesn't fully close.  As long as you aren't jumping on a trampoline or surfing, gravity should take care of holding things in place for you.

What would you print on your pendant?  Leave a comment below~

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