Chunky Autumn Necklace

Chunky Autumn Necklace Designed by Cindi McGee 

This chunky autumn necklace was a happy “accident”.   I found a very old package of Makin’s Clay® Earth Tones in the back of my studio closet, which was way past the recommended “use by” date.   When I opened the clay, the individual bricks inside were dry.   I could have used the clay to make liquified clay, but I had another idea.   

Materials: 

Makin’s Clay® - Earth Tones Multi-Pack 

Makin’s Professional®  Cutting Mat

DecoArt® Metallic Lustre™ - Gold Rush

Bronze chain, jump rings, jewelry wire, crimps, closure 

Sturdy scissors 

Upholstery needle

Instructions: 

To recreate this effect for yourself, simply open a multi-pack of your choice of Makin’s Clay® - Earth Tones, Vineyard Tones, Brights - any will work.  Or, open a larger package of clay and cut it into individual rectangular “bricks”.  Allow the clay to dry fully for 24 hours.  

Take a sturdy pair of scissors, and carefully cut off slices of the dried clay.  Even though the clay is dry, it can still be cut with scissors.  My slices were between 1/8” and 1/4” in thickness.  I loved the finished effect, with the irregular sides, dents, etc. in each individual slice.

Carefully push a tapestry needle through the center of each square of clay.  Makin’s Clay® stays flexible even when dry, so you can still push the needle through after the clay has fully dried.  

String the desired number of beads onto jewelry wire. 

Make a loop at each end and add a crimp.  Add jump rings and bronze chain with a closure. 

To give your finished square beads a bit of lustre, use your fingertips to apply a very light touch of Gold Rush DecoArt Metallic Lustre to the surfaces of he beads to highlight some of the irregularities of the beads.