Project: Nature's Path Pendant

We’re so excited to share this project from Susan at Rubber Stamp Tapestry. Susan’s past experienced in pottery, makes this tutorial and project outstanding.  She makes the process easy, yet the results so very rich.

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MATERIALS
Natures Path peg stamp set
Clay and accessories
Exacto knife
water and a fine mist sprayer is helpful
acrylic paint
foam or small artist brush
plastic clay-making tools are helpful
fine sand paper
a toaster oven
goggles or protective eyewear
heavy-duty glue (I like to use E6000 or a similar glue)

Tip: When choosing rubber stamps for polymer clay, I have found that the more detailed the better.  Since our images are tiny and highly detailed, they lend themselves well to polymer clay and the mold making process.

1) Take the pendant and lay a  piece of narrow ribbon (I use an organza) inside the pendant. This ribbon will help you remove the clay once it is baked.

2) Now fill the space with clay.  Make sure the clay is not above the rim of the metal. (I like it only slightly recessed) Spray the clay with water, which will serve as a release agent so the rubber will not stick to the clay. Then use the stamps in the set to create your own little garden!

3) Bake the mold. Leave the clay inside the pendant to bake it, making sure not to heat the polymer clay over 275 degrees (for 25 minutes) to avoid the release of fumes. Bake it on a piece of cardstock or cardboard.

4) After completely cool, remove the baked clay from the metal heart, using the ribbon.  Remember, this clay will bend and it has a lot of flexibility.

5) Next, place the ribbon back in the pendant and refill the pendant with polymer clay and spray lightly with water. Then place the baked mold over the clay filled pendant and press until the excess clay squishes out of the sides.

6) I used a clay tool to remove the excess clay as shown in this photo.

7) Gently remove the mold (the top heart). Bake the resulting piece inside of the pendant at 275 degrees for 25 minutes.  If you are unsure about the temperature, use an oven thermometer.  Do not over bake or heat over 275 degrees. Cool completely and remove from metal pendant.  Lightly sand edges with fine grade sand paper.  At this point, before putting the clay back inside the pendant, is the best time to add color to the clay.

(8) It it better to first remove the fired clay from the pendant before working with color, to avoid painting the metal.  If you forget (like I did in the above photo), no big deal, just scrub the paint off with a plastic dish scrubber.

9) Next, take a piece of foam and some thinned acrylic paint and colorize the clay, working the color into the recessed areas of the clay. Do this quickly because acrylic dries pretty fast. You can use either a brush or a sponge. Spray lightly with water to disperse the color before the acrylic starts to dry. For quick drying, you can put it back in the oven for 4-5 minutes.  Cool completely.

10) Lightly sand the outside rough edges and surface with a fine grade sandpaper and then glue the heart into the pendant. Mount the pendant on a chain and you are ready for the party!

Until next time…
Happy Stamping from Susan and rest of the gang at Rubber Stamp Tapestry!

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