Jelly Roll Jewelry

Presented by Lisa Pavelka, Award-Winning Artist, Author and Instructor,
Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®
G859

Renowned mixed media artist Lisa Pavelka walks you through the steps on how to design with a millefiori jelly roll cane made from polymer clay in this jewelry-making video tutorial.
STEP 1
Condition black polymer clay well by rolling it through the polymer clay machine until soft and pliable. Continue to roll on the thickest setting of the polymer clay machine until you have a nice thick sheet of black polymer clay. (The thickness will depend on what you will be using the design for.)

Create a millefiori jelly roll cane then cut a small portion off. Using your fingers squeeze from the middle of the cane, and rotate out to reduce the cane until the diameter is approximately the size of the desired circle cutter.

Note: Refer to Lisa Pavelka's ''Millefiori Jelly Roll Caning'' how-to video for Part 1 of this video.
STEP 2
Gently saw a clay blade back and forth while lightly applying pressure to cut approximately 1/8-inch slice from the ends. Continue sawing to create multiple slices.

Tips:
  • Use a blade with a medium thickness
  • If using a thin blade pull outward on the edges while sawing to strengthen the blade
  • Too stiff of a blade may be too thick to get nice, clean slices
  • Directly look down over the blade while slicing to determine even and uniform slices
STEP 3
Place each slice onto a ceramic tile then use a round Kemper tool to cut a small crescent from a slice. Insert a whole slice into the crescent, gently tapping the slice flat on the ceramic tile, like a puzzle piece. Continue to cut small crescents from the veneer to add additional slices to create a design to your liking.

Tips:
  • Make sure the nested slices lay flat; layering the slices over one another then rolling them flat will cause distortion
  • Stretch and manipulate, just slightly, slices that don't fit perfectly into the crescent areas
STEP 4
Position a clay blade at a 45-degree angle from the ceramic tile then gently slide the blade back and forth while gently pushing it forward underneath the veneer to remove it from the ceramic tile.

Tip: Press the slices together if they fall apart.
STEP 5
Place the black sheet of clay onto a piece of non-stick parchment paper then set it on the ceramic tile.

Place the veneer onto the black sheet then place a piece of parchment paper over the veneer. Use a clay roller to flatten the veneer.

Continue to roll the sheet, rotating the piece until the surface is even.

Notes:
  • The parchment paper prevents the clay from sticking to the clay roller
  • The parchment paper allows you to see where the roller is making contact with the clay, giving you a controlled manipulation and helping to prevent stretching in a single area
STEP 6
Peel off the back parchment paper, then gently peel back approximately half of the front the parchment paper. (This allows the clay to stretch and not be distorted by sticking to the paper.)

Gradually feed the veneer through the polymer clay machine, covered half fed first, on the thickest setting.

Place the veneer directly on the ceramic tile then peel back the parchment paper.
STEP 7
Cut a piece of plastic from a sandwich bag. Place the piece of plastic directly on the veneer.

Tip: The thicker the plastic the more exaggerated the rounded edge will become.

Position heart-shaped clay cutter over the plastic and push down to cut through the clay. Remove the clay cutter and plastic from the clay. If needed, replace the cutter over the heart and cut once more to get a cleaner cut.

Tip: Position a ceramic tile or small tin then press down instead of using your hands to prevent discomfort, if needed.

Optional:

Position a larger heart-shaped clay cutter around the previous one and press down to create a frame, if desired.
STEP 8
Use a clay blade to remove the clay from the inside heart and set aside.

Roll a bit of black clay into a tiny ball. Press the ball in the center of the heart veneer so that it is slightly flattened.

Use the Crystal Katana tool to pick up a flat back crystal rhinestone then set it onto the middle of the black ball. Use the opposite end of the Crystal Katana tool to press the rhinestone into the clay, creating a nice bezel around the rhinestone.
STEP 9
Bake according to manufacturer's instructions.
STEP 10
Use a hand-drill to drill a hole at the top of the heart or the top of a lobe then run a jumpring through it and string.

Note: Use a pinch-bail instead of a jumpring, if desired.
STEP 11
Reuse the excess veneer as a picture frame, embellishment on a tin or journal a magnet, greeting card or ornament.

Have a question regarding this project? Email Customer Service.

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