Kwanzaa Clay Jewelry
Kwanzaa Clay Jewelry
Seasonal Sense
Two types of sculpting clay are typically sold in craft stores—modeling clay and baking clay. The modeling clay doesn't harden and can be shaped into objects and used over and over again. The type of clay you bake hardens to form a permanent object. Some popular brands of this type of clay are Sculpy and Fimo. When purchasing clay to make jewelry, be sure it can be baked to form a permanent bead or design.
You can create endless jewelry designs from clay. Make the Kwanzaa symbols to string on a necklace or glue onto a pin or barrette form. You can also use your imagination to make traditional beads, geometric designs, and everyday objects. Try some of the designs in the figure, and then let your ideas soar to new heights in clay creativity.
Level: Easy
Time involved: Two to three hours, including baking time
Materials:
- Sculpting clay (Fimo or Sculpy clay are quality products.)
- Plastic knife
- Toothpick
- Plastic eyes (optional)
- Cookie sheet
- Glue gun
- Pin forms
- Barrette forms
- Bead elastic
-
Roll small pieces of the dough between your fingers to make it pliable. Sculpt the dough into the design of your choice. If making beads, roll the dough into a snake form and cut the beads with a knife. You can roll several colors of clay together to make multicolored beads. Use a toothpick to make a hole in the beads for stringing them. You can roll a small snake into a spiral to create a snail (and later glue a plastic eye in each side at the top). Or you could use the sample designs shown in the photo.
Place the designs on a cookie sheet and bake them according to the manufacturer's directions (usually in a 275°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes). Remove the sheet from the oven and allow the designs to cool.
Glue the designs onto the pins or barrette forms, or string them onto bead elastic.