Mixed media influences add pizazz to this beautiful necklace. Combine clay, clear stamps and nail polish to get a one-of-a-kind charm, and top it off with a wire-wrapped bird's nest!
Instructions
STEP 1:
Condition clay according to manufacturer instructions and roll out to a thickness that will fit inside your memory frame. Adhere clear bird stamp to clear block and apply black StazOn ink. Carefully stamp on clay and remove image. I usually stamp several of these in the event I make a mistake in the painting or trimming process.
STEP 2:
Trim stamped clay to a size that will fit in your memory frame, mine was 1 x 1 inch. Bake according to the instructions on the package.
STEP 3:
When clay is cool, paint image as shown in the example or as desired.
STEP 4:
When paint is dry, apply several coats of clear nail polish over the top of the charm. When dry, insert charm in memory frame according to the manufacturer instructions.
STEP 5:
To create necklace, decide how long your necklace should be and cut two pieces of beading wire, one for each side of the charm. Each piece of wire should be long enough to allow you to attach a crimp bead on each end. You can easily trim off the excess, but if the wire is too short you’ll have to remove your beads and cut a new piece.
STEP 6:
Slide the beading wire through one of the jump rings attached to the side of the charm and add the crimp bead to secure it. Do the same to the other side.
STEP 7:
Add the crystals, beads and spacers to each side of the charm creating a repeating pattern if you desire. To finish add a crimp bead and one piece of the clasp to each side of the necklace.
STEP 8:
To create the birds nest, cut a 30 inch length of 20 gauge copper wire and add the two or three turquoise beads to it. Slide the beads approximately 3 inches up one side of the wire and bend the wire so that you have one bead one each side of the bend. Wind the long side of the wire around the beads to form the beginning of the nest. Bend the short side of the wire at a 90 degree bend to prevent the beads from falling off. Continue winding the wire around and around until you have approximately 7 inches left. To secure the coiled wire, slip the long wire down through the center of the nest and pull out from the bottom. Wrap the wire around to the top of the nest and down the same hole as before. Do this three times around the nest; this will secure the coils and keep them from coming apart.
STEP 9:
Using your pliers, tuck the excess wire into the nest, making sure the ends are not poking out to catch on skin or fabric.
STEP 10:
Add a piece of copper chain a couple of inches long to the nest and attach it to the necklace.