Polymer Clay Jewelry Blog by Artisan Sherri Kellberg. Follow me for free Tutorials, techniques, polymer clay experiments. See my latest handmade jewelry creations and find out where I get the inspiration for my unique polymer wearable art pieces.
These little bird dishes are a bit of handmade art, to hold your rings and things. They make great gifts for birthdays, hostess, teacher, or special friend! They are created from 100% polymer clay, and decorated with some of my unique cane slices. The edges are hi-lighted with 18 KT. Gold Leaf.
Wise Owl Trinket Dish
The Wise Owl trinket dish is made from Premo Gold metallic clay. It was distressed using Adirondack Turquoise patina ink.
Patchwork Bird Trinket Dish
If you would like to see more of my Ring Dishes, please click on the live link to visit my Etsy Shop
Getting Started: Do not use unbaked clay on
unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Start with clean hands and
work surface area. Good work surfaces include wax paper, metal baking
sheet, or disposable foil. Knead clay until soft and smooth. For best
results, clean your hands in between colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces
together firmly. Bake on oven-proof glass or metal surface at 275 °F
(130 °C) for 30 minutes per ¼" (6 mm) thickness. For best baking
results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT
EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME. Wash hands
after use. Baking should be completed by an adult.
Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). Test temperature with oven
thermometer for perfectly cured clay. For best results, condition all
clay by running it through the clay dedicated pasta machine several
passes on the widest setting. Fold the clay in half after each pass and
insert the fold side into the rollers first.
Step 2:
Roll out and condition a package of Premo! Black
clay, do half of the package on the #6 setting of the clay conditioning
machine. Condition the other half on the #3 setting.
Step 3:
Take the clay that was rolled out on the #6
setting of the clay conditioning machine, this will be used for the
foiled scales of the pendant. Cut out a square about 2.5 inches from the
clay. Place a piece of waxed paper on your work surface; lay the clay
on the paper. Apply the foil to the clay, do not move the foiled-clay as
this will stretch it, and cause it to crackle.
Step 4:
Use the Ripple Blade to cut strips. Take care
not to stretch them when you handle them. Lay the strips on an index
card, as you cut them. This makes easier to handle, and they won't stick
to the index card.
Step 5:
Making the base of the pendant. Use the clay
that was rolled out on the #3 setting of the clay conditioning machine.
Use a few of the foiled zigzag pieces to decorate the back of the
pendant. Lay them in a random pattern. Cover with a piece of parchment
paper, and roll over to embed the design.
Step 6:
Cut the pendant shape using either a Teardrop
cutter, or an Oval cutter. Now you have completed the back of the
pendant.
Step 7:
Turn the pendant piece over to the front side
(plain black side). Begin placing the zigzag foiled pieces, starting at
the bottom of the pendant. Use your straight clay blade, or Exacto knife
to trim the ends. Make sure when you add the next strip that you have
them overlapping to create a scale-like appearance. Continue to add the
zigzag strips, using a gradual blend of colors.
Step 8:
Completely cover the pendant with the zigzag
scales. Take the acrylic block, set it on top of the pendant, gently
press, to even up the face of the pendant.
Step 9:
Place a piece of Plastic Wrap on top of the
pendant, use you shape cutter to re-cut all the raw edges. Now your
pendant is complete and ready to bake.
Step 10:
Place the pendant on a tile for baking. Bake
the pendant according to the clay package directions. You may finish
your pendant with a coat of resin.
If you've ever watched The Game of Thrones series on HBO, you know all about Dragon's Eggs. The show inspired me to create some fantasy pendants. I wrote this FREE Tutorial for the Sculpey.com site. I'm a member of the Sculpey Design Squad for 2015, so I've also been writing Blog Posts for the site too. Check out the Tutorial at: Dragon Egg Tutorial
My mini polymer clay Ring Dishes were featured on Polymer Clay Daily back in April.
Since then, I've branched out into many new jewel tone colors! My Etsy customers are
loving the customized, made-to-order versions!