Fancy Fish Pendant

Fancy Fish Pendant by Patricia Roberts-Thompson

Materials:  

Makin’s Clay®  - 30g Black 

Makin's Professional® Ultimate Clay Machine®  

Clay roller 

Clay blade, scissors

Brushes

Small ball tool, needle tool, plastic straw

Foam mat

Baby wipes

PVA white glue

DuraClear Matte or Gloss varnish

Pendant cord

Pearl-Ex Powders, Born Pretty Chameleon Powders or metallic paints to color the fish

Directions:  

Using approximately 30 grams of black Makin’s Clay®, make a one inch ball for the body, and set aside the remainder to make the fins later on. 

Fig 1: Form the ball of clay into a fish, a pointed tapered shape for the head, and pinch the clay at the tail to make the tail fins.  I kept the fish flat on the backside, and more rounded on the front. The tail can be as fancy as you like.       

                                                                                                                                                                Fig 2: I used scissors to trim the tail into two sections. Place the fish on a piece of foam matting, and press in the lines on the tailfin. I only did the front, but you can do both sides if you like! Then I added details to the head, I made a curved line for the gill and a mouth. I added an eye with a small ball tool. Next, I cut a piece of a small plastic straw to make the scales of the fish.

Fig 3: I rolled the remaining black Makin’s Clay® on the third setting of the Ultimate Clay Machine®  and then cut a fin shape from the sheet of clay. The width of the fin is as long as the body of the fish, from the gills to the tail. Height of the fin should be high enough to fold over, making a bail to hang the fish from.  Place the fin on a foam mat, and press in lines, front and back. 

Fig 4: I made a groove in the back of the fish, added some white glue and inserted the fin, taking care to smooth and attach it securely. When it is well attached, fold the fin over, and attach the fin to the back of the fish. You can add glue, or just wet the clay to get it to stick. The photo shows a paintbrush inserted in the folded section to keep the fin bail from collapsing as it dries. Fig 5 shows the back view.

Fig 6: Finally, make two small fins, one is attached behind the gill, and the second one, on the belly, just below the first fin. I made a small groove to add the lower fin, adding a bit of glue before inserting. I used Blue Russet Pearl-Ex powder on the body of my fish, and Born Pretty Chameleon Powder, GRB20 for the tail and fins. Metallic paints work very well also; make him whatever colors you like!

Varnish the fish when he’s dried, add a necklace cord, and enjoy your awesome new pendant!