Thank you for joining me on my Polymer Clay and Jewellery Making workshops.

I have included a little more information below about ideas you can use in your own work, as well as instructions to make some pieces. I hope you enjoy them, and would love to see what you make!

This cane (pattern) is loosely inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s painting ‘The Starry Night’. Click on the image to download the PDF if you would like to print it out. The key is to making a thin sheet of clay that you can use as a ‘veneer’ which can be cut out and applied to pieces of clay to make beads, decorations or jewellery elements.

Polymer clay is such a versatile material and one of its advantages is it can mimic other materials, such as ceramics, metal, and even fabric. Here are instructions to make a simple but striking metallic looking pendant. The same technique can be used to make steampunk inspired Christmas decorations, especially if you include some of your watch parts. Just add a metallic thread or ribbon instead of jewellery findings.

Here are some pieces to give you inspiration for techniques you can use in your own work.

The above piece explores the evolution of agriculture and is based on the 10 months of the Roman Calendar. It includes polymer clay, glass, copper wire, watch parts, wood, acrylic paint, rubber and handmade stamps, and mica powder.

The sections of the circle represent (clockwise from top): harvest, shelter, fallow fields, limpets (a staple food during years of crop failure), art, security, astronomy and the moon phases, tilled fields, the sun, and the development of the plough.

Soil Profile looks at the four types of soil found in arboreal forests (clockwise from top left): typical brown earth, gley, alluvial, and podzol. It includes the colours found in the respective soils, fossils, roots, and a sleepy slow worm. Materials include polymer clay, wood, watch parts, Swarovski crystals, mica powder, acrylic, and gold ink.

My associated Polymer Clay and Jewellery Making Kit included the following items (and if you ordered a kit I hope you are continuing to enjoy creating lovely things!):

Fimo Soft polymer clay x 4 colours

• There are four half packs of clay; keep the bags these arrive in as they are perfect for storing small quantities of clay and are the right type of plastic to prevent drying out or oiliness. Try and keep the clay in a cool place and avoid over handling as it can get quite soft. These colours have been chosen so that they can be mixed without creating muddy colours; the Sahara colour is used in place of white which gives a softer more muted shade better suited to jewellery making. Keep the black separate as this will be used for a different purpose, i.e. creating structure for the pieces.

• Mica powder

  This is in a small bag included with the findings; it is a very fine mineral powder so please take care not to inhale it. There is a lot more than you may imagine in the bag and a little goes a very long way. Take care opening it and perhaps place the bag in a bowl or a dish to stop it spreading everywhere. You can use your fingers or a small brush to apply it (old eyeshadow brushes are great for this).

• Shaping tool

  There is a simple shaping tool included that can form marks, texture and curves on your clays. I have also included cocktail sticks to create holes in your beads.

• Stencil and texture sheets

  There are two small stencils that we will use to create texture and to apply a finish to the clay; I have also included an imprint of a leaf in black clay which will also be used for texture. Please feel free to have available any other textures you may like; this could be sandpaper, an old nail brush (the bristles create a lovely rough texture), or even any rubber stamps you may have.

• Templates

  There is a small sheet of shapes that can be used as templates; you can cut these out before the workshop. If you like you can add a piece of tape over the top for longevity. I will include a PDF of other shapes for you to download on this page.

• Parchment

  Use this underneath your clay when working on it; it will protect your work surface and will help you move your pieces around easily.

• Round nose pliers

  These little guys are an invaluable tool in opening and closing jump rings, bending pins, and acting as grips and tweezers. Keep them in the bag to prevent them snagging on other items.

• Jewellery findings

  I have included a small selection of earrings, jump rings, head and eye pins, clasps, and a bale. There is a selection of silver, pewter and copper pieces to suit your designs.

• Elastic

  This will be used for bracelets; you may find it helpful to tie an unwanted bead on one end to prevent your pieces falling off.

• Necklace cord

  This is a length of black or blue coated cotton suitable for one necklace.

• Glass and metal beads

  A few of the beads you have been sent are from vintage pieces or handmade and were purchased in London and Glastonbury. You will also find a small selection of genuine watch parts, some of them really tiny (there may even be the odd ruby) which will be used to decorate your work. A few of the cogs may have posts which can be quite sharp; they are useful for poking into the clay. They are difficult to remove, but you can lay them flat by just very gently folding down the post.

You will also need...

• Access to an oven; you can cure your pieces after the workshop. Preheat the oven to 110 degrees C (follow the instructions on the Fimo packaging on your clay). Bake for 30 minutes - I like to leave my clay in the oven until it cools. You may find it helpful to have an oven thermometer as overheating the clay can cause harmful fumes. Don’t forget to check the safety information link here.

• Small rolling pin or equivalent

• Old baking sheet or foil tray

• Craft knife or old kitchen knife

• You may like to use a pair of gloves to protect your hands
  

HEALTH & SAFETY

Do not use any equipment that will later be used for food, such as rolling pins or knives.

For further details about using polymer clay safely please visit here.

Thanks again for joining me at my Polymer Clay and Jewellery making workshops.