Tutorials
Epoxy Clay Pendant + Video
Working with the Wire Frame Large Hoops makes for an easy and fast bezel that is light weight and brimming with possibilities. Enjoy!
Learn How!
Materials:
1’ of 20 Gauge Gold Wire
2 – 5 cups of 24pp Rhinestone Chain
Nunn Design Wire Frame Large Hoop Antique Silver
Epoxy Clay Black
Tools:
Flush Cutters
Hammer
Bench Block
Basic Supplies:
Wet wipes
Cello Bag or similar item
Step 1:
Texturizing the 20-Gauge Gold Wire
Use flush cutters to cut 1’ of 20-gauge gold wire from the spool. Place the wire onto a bench block and hammer the 20-gauge wire until slightly flat and textured.
Step 2:
Texturize the Wire Frame Large Hoop (optional)
Place the wire frame on a bench block. Begin near the loop and gently hammer around the wire frame – when hammering near the loop go slowly and carefully as you may deform the shape. You may need to use needle nose pliers to reform the shape.
Step 3:
Cut the textured 20-gauge wire into various lengths, the longest length being ¾”.
Step 4:
Use flush cutters to cut apart the individual cups of the rhinestone chain. There is a wire between the cups of crystals that retracts the rhinestone chain together, so try to cut that extra little bit of retracting wire off as well. For this pendant I used 2 individual cups of crystals from the rhinestone chain.
Step 5:
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the handling and mixing of the Epoxy Clay. While wearing gloves, pinch off two equal grape sized balls of Part A and Part B and blend together fully until the clay is no longer marbled and uniform in color. You have approximately 90-120 minutes of working time before the clay starts to harden, so take your time. Once the clay is thoroughly mixed, remove your gloves to make is easier to work with the clay.
Step 6:
Place your hammered wire frame onto a small cell bag or piece of plastic. This will make it easy to pick up once the clay has cured. Roll the clay into a round ball. Flatten the ball into a nice round shape keeping the clay evenly distributed. When the flattened ball is about the same size as the wire frame press it into the wire frame. Another option is to take the rolled ball and simply press it into the wire frame. Press and push the clay to the edges of the wire frame. Ensure that the clay is pressed against the wire frame. Pat the clay smooth.
Tip: If you didn’t mix up enough of the Epoxy Clay, mix another small ball and add it to your channel cuff bracelet. Place the new batch of rolled and snaked clay next to your finishing point by blending the two batches of clay together with your fingers.
Step 7:
Clean any excess clay left on the wire frame or your fingers using a wet wipe or damp cloth. If you wait until the clay is cured it will be nearly impossible to clean it, as the clay is hard as a rock.
Step 8:
Time to start laying the flattened cut wire from Steps 1-2 into the Epoxy Clay filled wire frame. Position the wire into the Epoxy Clay with the flattened textured side facing up and flush to one of the edges of the channel cuff. Start to create a pattern of various wire lengths to give it a “grass in the garden” like feel.
Step 9:
If you are not happy with how the pattern is laying out, use a toothpick or a headpin to remove the wire from the clay. If there is a gap or uneven surface area, use your fingers to gently pat down the surface until smooth again. You have 90-120 minutes to work with the clay before it hardens, so you have time to get it just right.
Step 10:
Incorporate into your design the cut rhinestone cup chain from Step 3 onto the tops of varying pieces of hammered wire. I like to place the cup chain so that the visible holes from the retractable wire are facing up and down, verses side to side. It makes it easier to hide the holes and just looks neater.
Tip: It is really important that the wire and the cup chain be fully embedded into the clay. If it is not, it could easily snag on something and be dislodged.
Step 11:
Do a final pass with your wet-wipe to make sure all the clay is off the wire frame. The clay will start to set after 120 minutes and will no longer be embeddable. The pendant will set and be hard to the touch within 4 hours, but the curing process will continue for another 24 hours.
Learn More!
- Download the Tutorial
- Watch the Video: How To Make a Framed Pendant With Wire, Rhinestone Chain and Epoxy Clay
Shop the Supplies!
- Nunn Design Wire Frame Large Hoop Antique Silver
- ½’ of 24pp Rhinestone Chain
- Epoxy Clay Black
- Flush Cutters
- Hammer
- Bench Block
Shop Nunn Design Wholesale
Nunn Design has been supplying jewelry artists with findings for over 20 years. Shop wholesale jewelry findings for creative jewelry makers.
Shop Nunn Design!How to Purchase Wholesale?
If you are interested in becoming one of the many designers who trust their jewelry to Nunn Design Findings, please join us by registering to become one of our wholesale customers!
Please visit our Where to Buy Page for a listing of online stores that sell Nunn Design Findings retail.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe to our blog. Here are 10 Reasons Why to Subscribe and a place to do so!
