Dimensional Embellished Earrings with Gilders Paste®, Apoxie® Sculpt and Brilliant Chatons
Design Idea SC25
-- Designer --
Elaine, Jewelry Designer, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
To learn more about Elaine Young, read her jewelry artist success story here.
: : : Materials : : :
Click here to view a full list of materials used in this design.
Please take the creative opportunity to select the products of your choice for this design, offered here at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Some materials may not be available or listed.
- Jump ring, gold-plated brass, 4mm round, 2.4mm inside diameter, 20 gauge.
- Focal, antique silver-plated brass, 34mm filigree diamond.
- Link, Almost Instant Jewelry®, gold-plated "pewter" (zinc-based alloy), 9mm flat round with SS34 rose setting.
- Drop, Almost Instant Jewelry®, gold-finished brass, 8.5mm with SS39 rivoli setting.
- Adhesive, Apoxie® Sculpt, epoxy and polymer resin, assorted neutral colors.
- Jump ring, gold-plated brass, 8mm round, 6.4mm inside diameter, 20 gauge.
- Polymer clay, Sculpey® PREMO, 18K gold.
- Wax paste, Gilders Paste®, 1-ounce tin, German silver.
- Chaton, crystal vitrail medium foil back, Preciosa MAXIMA Czech crystal rhinestone 6.14-6.32mm 15-cut faceted round SS29.
- Ear wire fishhook, gold-plated, 21mm / flower / open loop, 21 gauge stainless steel.
Instructions
Roll Sculpey® Premo polymer clay (18K Gold) to approximately 1mm thickness. Press the 34mm antique silver-plated brass filigree diamond focal firmly into the clay to create a deep impression.
Using a craft knife, trim the clay to match the shape of the filigree focal. Use an awl to create four small holes near the corners of the clay backing to align with the focal openings. Bake the clay according to the manufacturer’s instructions and allow to cool completely.
Using Devcon® two-part epoxy, glue the baked clay backing to the back of the filigree focal. Allow the adhesive to cure completely.
Mix a small amount of Apoxie® Sculpt epoxy clay until fully blended. Roll six (6) small balls approximately 1/8 inch in diameter.
Press one ball into each drop (use clay to hold drop setting in place) and link setting, then press a crystal chaton into the epoxy clay, leaving a small raised edge of Apoxie around the crystal to form a bezel-style setting. Create another setting using another small ball and chaton to place in center of focal Repeat for all components and allow all epoxy to cure completely.
Once cured, lightly apply Gilders Paste® to the Apoxie settings and main focal to highlight the details. Use a cotton swab with a small amount of rubbing alcohol to carefully remove any paste from the crystal surfaces. Allow the finish to dry completely.
Attach one drop component to the bottom of each filigree focal using 8mm gold jump rings.
Attach one link component to the top of each filigree focal using 8mm jump rings. And glue the setting for center of focal with 2-part Devcon.
Attach the link component to the gold-plated fishhook ear wire using 4mm jump rings to complete the earrings.
Shop for Your Materials Here:
Copyright Permissions
The pieces featured in the Gallery of Designs are copyrighted designs and are provided for inspiration only. We encourage you to substitute different colors, products and techniques to make the design your own.
All works of authorship (articles, videos, tutorials and other creative works) are from the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® Collection, and permission to copy is granted for non-commercial educational purposes only. All other reproduction requires written permission. For more information, please email copyrightpermission@firemtn.com.
