Polymer Pizzazz 2: 25+ Beautiful Jewelry Projects to Make and Wear

97 Pages·2013·172.143 MB·English

by  Bead;Button Magazine, Editors of

Polymer
P
Play with O
L
Y
gorgeous M
E
R

P
IZ 2
colorful Z
A
Z
Z
Pizzazz

2
polymer clay
Explore the
possibilities
of this
versatile
medium
This collection of projects from the pages of Art Jewelry and
Bead&Button magazines ranges from whimsical
to sophisticated. With so many ideas for design and
color, you’ll have plenty of options for creativity.
You’ll be inspired by pieces from polymer
Includes:
artists, including Jana Roberts Benzon, Debbie Carlton,
25
• 25 great projects with
Christi Friesen, Patricia Kimle, Barbara McGuire, Kim
step-by-step photography and
Otterbein, Lori Wilkes, Pam Wynn, and more.
thorough instructions
• detailed polymer techniques,
www.KalmbachBooks.com
including stamping & texturing,
From the publisher of Bead&Button, shaping, caning, mixed
BeadStyle, and Art Jewelry magazines
techniques, and working with Beautiful jewelry
64261 U.S. $19.95 metal clay
I SBN 978-0-87116-426-1 CAN $25.95 projects to make
5 1 9 9 5 • basic polymer techniques,
tools, and supplies and wear
9 780871 164261 0 64465 16426 4
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Polymer
2
Pizzazz
25
Beautiful jewelry
projects to make
and wear
BKS-64261-FM.indd 1 1/27/11 12:57 PM
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, Wisconsin 53186
www.Kalmbach.com/Books
© 2011 Kalmbach Books
All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review, this book may not be reproduced in part or
in whole by electronic means or otherwise without written permission of the publisher.
Photography © 2011 Kalmbach Books unless otherwise noted.
The designs in Polymer Pizzazz 2 are copyrighted. Please use them for your education and personal
enjoyment only. They may not be taught or sold without permission.
Published in 2011
15 14 13 12 11 1 2 3 4 5
Manufactured in the United States of America
ISBN: 978-0-87116-426-1
The material in this book has appeared previously in Bead&Button and Art Jewelry magazines.
Bead&Button and Art Jewelry are registered as a trademark.
Please follow appropriate health and safety measures. Some general guidelines are presented in this
book, but always read and follow manufacturers’ instructions. Every effort has been made to ensure
the accuracy of the information presented; however, the publisher is not responsible for any injuries,
losses, or other damages that may result from the use of the information in this book.
Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Polymer pizzazz. 2, 25 beautiful jewelry projects to make and wear / [compiled
by Kalmbach Books].
p. : col. ill. ; cm.
The material in this book has appeared previously in Bead&Button and Art Jewelry magazines.
ISBN: 978-0-87116-426-1
1. Polymer clay craft–Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Jewelry making. I. Kalmbach Publishing
Company. II. Title: 25 beautiful jewelry projects to make and wear III. Title: Twenty-five beautiful
jewelry projects to make and wear IV. Title: Bead&Button magazine. V. Title: Art Jewelry maga-
zine.
TT297 .P26 2011
745.594/2
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Contents
Basics Caning
Introduction 4 Bandana patterns 36
Polymer clay 5 Tile pendant 39
Tools and techniques 6 Making waves with cane slices 42
Beadrock 46
Stamping & Texturing
Craft a seamless cuff 48
Domestic diva 12 Colorfusion 53
Extra chunky cuff 14 Millefiori masterpiece 57
Foiled again 17 Millefiori corsage 61
Shaping Mixed Techniques
Polymer pod pendant 19 Bobbin beads 65
Lovely little lamb 21 Painting in miniature 67
Catch a wave 24 June bug 70
Spirit of the Southwest 28 Mixed-media links 73
It’s good to be king 30 Cross-pollination 78
Calling all calla lilies 33
Adding Metal Clay
Polymer and metal clay earrings 84
Planet pink 87
Clay in clay 91
Contributors
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Introduction
Colorful, flexible, and affordable, polymer clay offers a wealth of possibilities
for any jewelry artist no matter your skill level. This affordable medium is perfect
for dabbling, sculpting, and shaping gorgeous jewelry. If you’re new to the
medium, begin with the Polymer Clay and Tools and Techniques sections; you’ll
learn how to condition polymer clay, make a cane, and create a Skinner blend.
Refer to this section to refine your jewelry-making skills as well. You’ll also find
helpful tips for easy construction sprinkled throughout the projects themselves.
With 25 beautiful projects, you’ll find lots of inspiration. The projects in this
book are grouped by technique: Stamping & Texturing, Shaping, Caning, and
Mixed Techniques. You can even expand your claymaking skills by adding metal
clay. Each section offers plenty of colorful pendants, earrings, cuffs, pins, and
bracelets. Whether you want a bold statement piece, like the “Extra chunky cuff,”
p. 14, or a whimsical focal, like the “June bug pin,” p. 70, you’re sure to see the
perfect jewelry to fit your taste.
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Polymer clay
B
A
S
About polymer clay Liquid polymer IC
S
Polymer clay is a synthetic, modeling clay, such as translucent
compound made of polyvinyl chloride Liquid Sculpey or Kato
(PVC), pigments, and a plasticizer. The Liquid Polyclay, serves
plasticizer keeps the clay pliable at room as an adhesive to bond
temperature. When heated, the molecular raw clay to cured clay.
structure of the PVC stabilizes, and the It is an excellent agent
clay hardens. It’s easy to harden the clay for transferring images,
in a small home oven. or it can be tinted and
applied as a glaze before
Polymer products curing.
Polymer clays differ a bit from brand To set your work,
to brand. In general, these differences use glazes made for
fall into the categories of firmness, polymer or a product
flexibility, strength, color, and opacity. you might have in your
When selecting polymer clay, choose a cabinet, such as acrylic
product that has the properties that floor finish.
most complement the requirements of A softener, such as Sculpey Diluent, Although polymer clay is safe to
your specific project. You may even Kato Clear Medium, or Fimo Mix-Quick use and nontoxic, it’s good practice to
experiment with combining two or is blended with clay to help soften it dedicate any tools, utensils, supplies, or
more brands to achieve a custom result during conditioning. It also acts as a appliances to the clay only. Don’t use
(bake at the lowest temperature given bonding agent for uncured clay. them for food.
for the brands).
Product MAnufActurer feAtures WeAknesses Best uses
Fimo Eberhard Faber Fimo is the first polymer clay to be Can be challenging to Fimo is a durable clay that lends
marketed. condition. itself to many projects.
Fimo Classic Eberhard Faber Very firm. Excellent choice for making canes.
Fimo Soft Eberhard Faber Easy to condition. Some colors Not as durable or strong
have glitter blended in. as Fimo.
Sculpey Polyform Products Receives paint well. Sculpey is softer and
less durable than other
formulations.
Sculpey III Polyform Products Soft and easy to condition; Too soft for caning; brittle
appealing matte finish. after baking
Sculpey Super Polyform Products Very soft and remains flexible after A bit sticky when uncured. Flexibility after baking makes it a
Flex baking. good candidate for mold-making.
Premo Polyform Products A sophisticated range of colors Great choice for a variety of
Sculpey and pearl metallics. Easy to techniques
condition; remains strong and
relatively flexible after curing.
Super Sculpey Polyform Products Hard and strong clay. Good for sculpting.
Cernit T&F Kunststoffe Very hard and porcelain-like when Elasticity makes it better Formulated for doll makers.
cured; wide variety of flesh tones. for modeling than cane-
making.
Kato Polyclay Van Aken International Good general purpose product. Good for making canes; rich color-
Very firm and strong. mixing potential.

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Tools and techniques
Use a pasta machine [a] to condition Use an acrylic roller [b] to flatten the for slicing canes and cutting thin,
the clay and to roll pieces of clay into clay. A brayer is a roller with a handle precise layers.
specific thicknesses. Settings on pasta for added leverage or pressure. After clay is rolled and ready for use,
machines vary. For example, Atlas Use a burnishing tool, a bone folder a variety of cutters help make uniform
machines have between seven and nine [c], or even the back side of a spoon to shapes and sizes. Kemper Kutters create
settings, with #1 being the thickest and transfer an image from a transfer precise, graduated sizes, and regular
#9 the thinnest. Amaco settings are the medium to polymer clay. Burnishing cookie cutters are equally useful.
exact opposite—#1 is the thinnest and tools also will smooth and shine the clay. Molds texture the clay and create a
#7 is the thickest. It’s a good idea to Cut polymer clay with a variety of raised, or relief, image. Soap molds are
check the settings of your pasta machine knives. A craft knife, such as an X-acto ideal for this purpose. Additionally, you
so you have an approximate idea of the knife [d], is handy for trimming clay, can use scrap polymer clay or a mold-
thickness you’ll achieve with each setting. creating a beveled edge, or tracing a maker compound to make a mold from
Projects use these references: thinnest, pattern. A tissue blade [e] is an extremely any found object. Use a dry release, such
thin, medium-thin, medium, medium- sharp, smooth, and flexible blade used as talc or cornstarch, on the mold so the
thick, thick, and thickest. clay casting will not stick. A spritz of
Choose a smooth, durable nonstick water also works.
work surface such as marble, a sheet of Safety tip: When working Experiment with common items to
glass, or a smooth ceramic tile. To with a cutting blade, put texture your clay. Carving and modeling
prevent clay from adhering to the work painter’s tape on the grip edge tools, dental tools, or even a sewing
surface, experiment with working on so you don’t grab the cutting machine screwdriver make unique marks
parchment paper or freezer paper. edge by mistake. in the clay. Scratch and texture sheets [f],
a kitchen scouring pad, a piece of screen
a
f
j
b
c
d
k l
e
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[g], or rubber stamps [h] also are useful Once cured, the finished piece may
for texturing. Sculpting tools [i] help with need a pin-back or other embellishment, The righT cure
three-dimensional modeling. or it may become part of a larger project. In order to get safe, successful
In addition to texture, you may want Cyanoacrylate glue (superglue) provides results, bake polymer clay B
A
to add color or patina to your clay. Craft a superior bond. Its gel form is easy to according to the manufact- S
supplies such as ink pads, paints and control. Other brands designed for urer’s specifications for the IC
S
other pigments [j], Prismacolor pencils, polymer clay use include Zap-A-Gap recommended temperature and
and decorating chalks [k] will help you and Sobo. time. Setting the temperature
enhance your design. Gold foil [l] adds Carve cured clay with shaping too high or baking the clay for
elegance. A varnish or sealant protects tools such as those designed for too long can scorch the clay
your image. cutting linoleum. and release unhealthy fumes.
Use a needle tool or awl to make a While a clay piece can be used as On the other hand, if you bake
stringing hole in a pendant or bead. Or, soon as it cools from baking, glossy your clay for too short a time or
punch a hole with a drinking straw. polishing provides a high-quality finish. at too low a temperature, you
Drilling a hole in cured clay also is an Using an electric buffing machine fitted may get an undercured piece
option. Use a drill such as a Dremel, a with an unstitched muslin buff is the that’s weak and brittle.
spiral push drill, or a flex shaft. easiest way to get the most professional
Bake (“cure”) polymer clay in a results. If you don’t have access to a
toaster oven or convection oven set at a buffing wheel, use wet/dry sandpaper or Create beautiful jewelry with your
low temperature to set and harden. a sanding sponge, beginning with 600 polymer clay components using basic
This will be anywhere from 215–300° F; grit and progressing to finer grits. Sand stringing and beading techniques. You’ll
the clay packaging will have specific your piece under water. (Very fine-grit use jewelry tools, such as crimping pliers
instructions. Confirm and monitor the sandpaper can be purchased at auto [m]; wire cutters [n]; roundnose pliers [o]
accuracy of the oven’s temperature with supply stores.) Hand polish with a sturdy and chainnose pliers [p]. A ball peen
a stand-alone oven thermometer. Bake fabric such as denim or polar fleece. Be hammer [q] and small steel bench block [r]
clay on a smooth surface such as sure to wear a mask when buffing, so will help you finish jewelry that uses wire.
cardstock or unlined index cards. you don’t inhale any clay dust or particles.
g q
h r
i
n p
m o

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Condition polymer clay processor to chop the clay into small Make a Skinner blend
Conditioning polymer clay softens pieces. Many polymer clay companies Renowned polymer clay artist Judith
it and makes it easier to work with. offer products that help soften the clay. Skinner originated this method for
All brands of polymer clay need some Once conditioned, roll out your making clay sheets with seamless color
conditioning before you work with them, desired thickness of clay using a gradations.
though the degree varies among brands pasta machine. 1 Roll equal portions of two colors
and depends on whether the clay is from separately through the thickest setting of
a newly opened package or left over from Make a cane the pasta machine. The sheets will be
another project. Canes are formed by combining roughly square or rectangular.
You can condition clay by hand or different colors and shapes of clay and 2 Fold the sheets in half diagonally
with a pasta machine. To work it by rolling them into a cylinder. Cut a cane (corner to corner).
hand, roll in halves or fourths and layer the sections 3 Stack the sheets on top of one another,
the clay into together for a more complex pattern. lining up the folded edges. Trim the
a ball, flat- Reduce the cane by hand-rolling and rough edges so that the two sheets
ten it, then lengthening the cylinder. Canes can begin become right-angle triangles.
roll it into a with a diameter equal to a soda can, and
snake. Fold then can be reduced to a diameter of an
the snake in inch or smaller.
half and roll Avoid waste when you build a cane
it into a ball by keeping the ends trimmed throughout
again. Continue making balls, snakes, the process. You’ll still lose five to twenty
and balls again until the clay is soft, percent from the ends because they
pliable, and doesn’t crack when folded. do not display the pattern as well as
If you use a pasta machine, most clay the middle.
can be processed straight from the pack- Polymer clay is temperature sensitive. 4 Separate the triangles and abut the
age. Adjust the machine to its thickest After you’ve finished making a cane, diagonal (folded edge) sides with one
setting, then flatten one end of the clay the clay will be warm. Let the cane cool another to form a square or rectangle.
and roll it through the machine. If the before slicing, either by resting it on your In order to create a sheet with unblended
clay breaks into small pieces, press the workspace or by placing it in the freezer values of both colors, offset the placement
pieces together and run them through the for about 90 seconds. slightly so that the
machine again. A long sheet of clay will corners do not meet.
form. Fold it in half and put it through Trim the corners.
the machine, fold side first, so air will not 5 Roll the composite
become trapped between the pieces. If air sheet through the
Skinner- checkerboard
pockets form, puncture them with a blend cane pasta machine at the
needle tool cane thickest setting.
and run the 6 Fold the sheet in
complex
flower cane
clay through half so the same colors meet (below, left).
cane
the machine Roll the sheet through the pasta machine,
again. folded edge first.
Twenty jellyroll 7 Continue to fold the sheet in the same
or more canes direction and roll it through the machine
passes may until there are smooth gradations with
be necessary no lines.
to condition
the clay fully, but it’s easier than kneading
by hand.
To make conditioning even easier, try
warming the clay to make it softer. Some striped canes
artists place the unopened package in
their pocket or on a heating pad set to
low heat. Or, use a clay-dedicated food
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B
A
S
adding a patina IC
S
Get a beautiful, colorful patina
Tips for reducing canes using liver of sulfur, a nontoxic solution.
• Firm, general-use clays will retain detail better when used to Because liver of sulfur has a strong odor,
create canes. use it in a well-ventilated area. Place a
• Canes must be pliable and warm to be reduced and formed small chunk of liver of sulfur in a small
into shapes. cup of hot water and let dissolve. Use
• Prevent older canes from cracking during reduction by coating them tweezers to dip your metal clay piece
with a small amount of liquid clay prior to warming. into the solution; when you like the
• Warm your canes by placing them on a heating pad set on the color, remove it and rinse with cold
lowest setting. Check the canes often to make sure they do running water. Use a polishing cloth or
not overheat. pad to remove some of the patina.
• Wear latex gloves to avoid transferring fingerprints to the clay.
Working with metal clay firing and polishing
You can combine polymer and metal Use a small, digitally programmable
clay in one piece for truly stunning kiln, Hot Pot, or Ultralite (tabletop kiln)
results. Many of the techniques and to fire pieces according to the metal clay
tools are similar; if you’re comfortable manufacturer’s instructions. You can
with polymer clay, it will be easy to also torch-fire small pieces of metal clay
work with metal clay. using a butane torch.
Metal clay dries rapidly, so remove When the metal clay is fired, it will
only the amount you will use during a have a white surface. Polish to reveal
given work session. Store unused clay in the silver beneath with a wire brush and
an airtight container with a small piece soapy water. For faster results, use a
of moist sponge or paper towel. Cover rotary tumbler with stainless steel shot.
clay with plastic wrap while you are not
working with it. Use a spray bottle to MeTal clay Thickness guide
remoisten the clay if it begins to dry out.
playing
Apply olive oil or natural hand balm MeasureMenT slaT color
card(s)
to your hands, tools, and work surface
.25mm black 1
to prevent the clay from sticking. Decide
.5mm yellow 2
how thick you want your metal clay
.75mm green 3
sheet to be. Make two stacks of either
playing cards, mat board, or thickness 1.0mm blue 4
guides that equal that thickness. 1.5mm red 6
Place the lump of clay on your work 2.0mm purple 8
surface between the two even stacks.
Roll the clay out to a uniform thickness,
using an acrylic roller or PVC tube. safeTy basics
Rotate the clay 90 degrees and roll • To fire metal clay, you will need a kiln or butane torch. Use your kiln
it again. in a well-ventilated area.
• Follow manufacturers’ instructions for programming your kiln and
drying metal clay firing times and temperatures.
Dry metal clay completely before • All tools should be dedicated for nonfood use.
firing, or it can crack and break. (Speed • Don’t torch-fire metal clay pieces that have a core inclusion, such as
drying by using a mug warmer, griddle cork or wood clay.
set on low, or food dehydrator, if • Be sure to let a metal clay piece dry completely before firing it. Don’t
desired.) kiln-fire or torch-fire metal clay pieces that are not completely dry,
as they may explode.

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