Summer Sunset Necklace

Summer Sunset Necklace by Cindi McGee

The technique used to create this necklace was inspired by a class which polymer clay artist Syndee Holt taught at an event I attended. Her version is a little bit different than this version, but the biggest difference is that I wanted to try the technique with Makin's Clay®, and I'm very pleased with the results!

Materials:

Makin’s Clay® - Ivory (or White), Persimmon, Black

Makin’s Professional®

Ultimate Clay Machine®
Professional Clay Tools
Cutting Mat

Makin’s®

Clay Roller
Round Clay Cutters - 3 pc and 4 pc sets

Black satin cording

Judikins™ Diamond Glaze™

Alcohol Inks - Yellow, Butterscotch, Red

DecoArt® Metallic Lustre™ - Gold Rush

Rubbing alcohol

Sponge

Scissors

Plate/plastic lid to use as palette for alcohol inks

Instructions:

Roll ivory clay starting on setting # 1 and progressing one setting at a time ending on the last setting, #9.

Roll persimmon clay starting on setting # 1 and progressing one setting at a time ending on the last setting, #9.

Place ivory clay sheet over persimmon clay sheet and roll gently to adhere layers, then trim away remaining persimmon clay and place in zipper bag with a damp paper towel for later use.

Cut small pieces of sponge.

Add about 1 tsp of rubbing alcohol onto a plate. Add a drop of each color of alcohol ink to the plate.

Dip first sponge in alcohol and then one color of ink, randomly sponge ink onto rolled clay, adding more ink as needed.

Repeat with remaining 2 colors of ink.

Let ink dry, then use fingertip to add small streaks of gold Metallic Lustre randomly over the surface.

Let dry about 30 minutes. You want the clay to begin to dry, but not be completely dried.

Gently tear the sheet into small, uneven sections. The straw clay will show beneath the ivory layer, it gives almost an “outline” effect.

Roll black clay to about 1/4” thick.

Moisten surface of black clay with a little bit of water. Begin applying the torn pieces, overlapping each other in some places, to cover the black sheet.

Use clay roller to gently roll until torn pieces are incorporated into black clay and surface is somewhat smooth.

Place plastic over the sheet. Use 60 mm round cutter to cut disc, then cut two 30 mm, and four 20 mm.

Push scraps together and roll again. Cut a second set of discs. Place these discs on the back of the first set of discs. Use a touch of water on your fingertip to smooth the seam on the side where the two discs meet.