 |
|
Beading Resources > Free Beading Instructions >
Search Results >
Single-Strand Necklace with Kato Polyclay™ Leaves and Swarovski® Crystal Beads
printer friendly versionSingle-Strand Necklace with Kato Polyclay™ Leaves and Swarovski® Crystal Beads
9522
: : : Materials : : :
Step 1
Using the diagonal cutters, cut a 22-inch length of Accu-Flex® professional quality beading wire.
Please note: The clay leaves will be added to crimp beads, this is so the clay has something to grab onto when strung. Once the clay is baked onto the crimp bead and the Accu-Flex® beading wire it will not shift around in the necklace.
Please note: The clay leaves will be added to crimp beads, this is so the clay has something to grab onto when strung. Once the clay is baked onto the crimp bead and the Accu-Flex® beading wire it will not shift around in the necklace.
Step 2
Cut five 4-inch lengths of Accu-Flex®.
Step 3
Move a crimp bead to the center of the long length of Accu-Flex® and slip one of the short pieces of the beading wire into the crimp bead. Center both pieces and crimp with your crimping pliers.
Step 4
Repeat Step 3 with the other four pieces of beading wire, two on either side of the center piece, spacing them so that the short pieces of beading wire cross each other evenly.
Step 5
Add a crimp bead to one side of one short piece of beading wire and place it half way up the strand. Crimp it in place. Add a 6mm olivine Swarovski® crystal and slide it up to meet the crimped crimp bead. Add another crimp bead and crimp it to secure the crystal in place. Add another crimp bead to the end of the strand and crimp it in place. This bead will support the clay leaf.
Step 6
Repeat Step 5 nine more times with all the sides of the short Accu-Flex® pieces.
Making Your Leaves
Step 7
Condition a 2-ounce block of gold, green, and red clay in your Poly-Roller™ machine.
Step 8
Make a 2'' x 2'' skinner blend with the following combinations of clay:
- 4-5 sheets of red and gold
- 4-5 sheets of green and gold
Step 9
Study your skinner blend sheets to determine the best way to cut your leaves so that you get a nice gradient in your leaf. Use your embossing cutters to cut out the leaves. This design used 29 assorted leaves, you can cut more or less, depending on the look you want.
Using water, slightly wet the sheet of clay before cutting. The water will work like a resist between the cutter and the clay and yield a much cleaner cut.
Using water, slightly wet the sheet of clay before cutting. The water will work like a resist between the cutter and the clay and yield a much cleaner cut.
Attaching the Leaves
Step 10
Sandwich a crimp bead between two leaves by placing one of the leaves on the back of a crimp and the next leaf on the front.
Using your fingers, shape the leaves to whatever shape you think a leaf should be. Be careful not to squash the embossed design on the front of the leaf.
Press a Swarovski® chaton into the top center of the leaf.
Using your fingers, shape the leaves to whatever shape you think a leaf should be. Be careful not to squash the embossed design on the front of the leaf.
Press a Swarovski® chaton into the top center of the leaf.
Step 11
Once you have your leaves just like you want them, it is time to bake the necklace. The recommended temperature for baking Kato Polyclay™ is 300-degrees F. It is recommended to use an oven thermometer when baking, so you're sure the oven doesn't go above or below the recommended temperature. Over-baked clay can burn and cause noxious fumes; under-baked clay will not cure properly and therefore be subjected to breakage.
Step 12
String onto the left side of beading wire one of each of the following:
- Bright gold pearl
- 6mm erinite faceted rondelle
- 8mm crystal copper faceted rondelle
- 6mm erinite faceted rondelle
- Bright gold pearl
- 6mm erinite faceted rondelle
- Bright gold pearl
- 8mm crystal copper faceted rondelle
- Bright gold pearl
- 6mm erinite faceted rondelle
- Bright gold pearl
- 8mm crystal copper faceted rondelle
- Bright gold pearl
- 6mm erinite faceted rondelle
- Bright gold pearl
- 8mm crystal copper faceted rondelle
- Bright gold pearl
- 6mm erinite faceted rondelle
- Bright gold pearl
- 8mm crystal copper faceted rondelle
- Bright gold pearl
- 6mm erinite faceted rondelle
- Bright gold pearl
Step 13
String one crimp tube onto the wire. Pass the wire through the loop on the ring half of the clasp and back through the crimp tube. Pull the crimp tight, making sure there is no slack along the length of the necklace. Place a small amount of adhesive inside the crimp (optional).
Using the crimping pliers, crimp the crimp tube. Using wire nippers, trim the excess wire from the short end.
Using the crimping pliers, crimp the crimp tube. Using wire nippers, trim the excess wire from the short end.
Step 14
Repeat Step 12 and 13 to complete the second half of the necklace using the second half of the clasp.
: : : Additional Resources : : :
Have a question regarding this project? Email Customer Service.
Copyright Permissions
Permission to copy this instruction sheet is granted for non-commercial educational purposes only. All other reproduction requires written permission. Please email copyrightpermission@firemtn.com for more information.
