Materials list to make this Lily flower necklace: Polymer clay (of course), copper wire and recycled beads from vintage jewelry:
Sometimes when you’re making jewelry, it is nice to have a bunch of different materials lying around for inspiration. That’s exactly how the flower necklace pendant shown in the photo, came to be.
It started with some bits of scrap polymer clay that mixed nicely into a lovely cream, rose and green striped blend.
One of my favorite flowers is the Calla Lily and I could see that this pretty striped sheet of Premo polymer clay would look nice made into a Lily shaped bead. Maybe it’s the warm Summer air, but flower pendants have been of particular interest to me lately. Here’s a link to a photo for another one I did earlier this month: Rose Pendant Necklace
Once my Lily flower bead was baked, sanded and polished, it took a little bit of experimenting to decide how it should be used in a piece of hand made jewelry that might sell well on Etsy.
There happened to be a bunch of copper wire pieces lying on my studio work table, as well as a box of old glass beads recycled from some vintage necklaces and bracelets. The colors looked interesting beside the flower bead so I figured out a way to work them together.
One of the most exciting elements for me when making things, is trying to figure out how to get my ideas to work. I draw inspiration from my surroundings and then just flow with it. A little fire burns in my chest as I try idea after idea until finally the piece comes together.
For me it’s the challenge that is the most invigorating. Some things work and some things don’t. I have worked hours on a project only to disassemble it and start all over again. I have also had projects turn out on the first try.
How about you? Where do you get your inspiration from and how to let these inspirations guide you?
Do you like to ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ and see what you end up with? Or do you start with a plan… knowing exactly what your end result will be?
Does the whole creative process, excite you? Or scare the heck out of you? I would sure love to know what keeps the ‘fire’ inside of you burning! Hopefully my Premo Clay Flower Pendant Necklace Project got the creative gears in your head going.
Did you you know that when you click on one of the “Tags” at the bottom of any of the articles on this blog, that click will lead you to a whole list of other articles that have something to do with that very same topic? Go ahead and give it a try with the ‘necklace’ or ‘flower pendant’ tags.
Cindy Lietz’s last blog post..Blue Flower Earrings – A Jewelry Making Project Using Premo Sculpey
Cindy, my goodness, you do it all girl. Your sculptures of the flowers are so life-like. I have lived in Texas for most of my life, so we are very fond of “The Yellow Rose of Texas.”
You asked about inspiration, where we all find it? Usually I personally just see something that interests me and decide to elaborate on it, or make various changes. Often, I do sketch out my designs in the beginning, but to decide how to string a necklace for instance . . . I do it in my mind. I close my eyes and visualize all the pieces; it is much faster, it is like playing chess, just move things around until you see what you want. But, I do like “flying by the seat of my pants” like you do as well. HA!
Thank you D. McLelland! I love and admire your work with glass beads. It is fun to see how other artists think and get inspired! Thank you for your comment!
Hi Cindy,
How do you connect Precious Metal Clay around or top of a piece of polymer clay to make ear ring or necklace?
Thanks
Rezvan
Hi Rezvan! I haven’t worked with Precious Metal Clay yet so I am not the best person to ask about that. I do know that the PMC has to be fired first since it fires at such a high temperature (around 1200 degrees I think). Then polymer clay is added then baked again at 265 – 275 degrees. Other than that I don’t know too much about it.
Has anyone else reading here worked with PMC that can help Rezvan?
Hi Cindy,
I will try that. Have a Mary Christmas and Happy New Year.
Rezvan
what a big task!! it’s challenge to me also. i am learning handmade jewelry recently and i read lots of tutorial on the internet. among what i have read, i obtain a lot on your site. thank you! i want to make a necklace like this here: jewelryvogue.com/store/necklaces/fashion-ccb-refined-necklace, since it’s my sister’s fave. so i want to make one and send it to her on her b-day. would you give me some tips as it looks a little complicated. many thanks!!
@zoe: Are you wanting to make these copper beads? Or to make beads out of polymer clay that resemble the ones in the necklace? Just to make sure I went to the right page, you’re talking about the electroplated CCB or Copper-Coated Beads, right? This site doesn’t deal with electroplating, but if you were talking about polymer clay, you could use a number of different techniques to add a metallic look to your beads.
Copper Foils, Copper leaf, Mica powders, Metallic paints, glitters, etc., could be added to your (even copper) clay. There is an article about all of the ways to add metallic sparkle to your clay called Polymer Clay Bling Supplies.
It has some ideas on how to get a metallic look. Read the comments below the article, or use the search box at the top of the page to look for additional info. Good luck, let us know if you can’t find the information you want. ~Kat
A blast from the past here, Cindy….these structures would make awesome additions to outside water features, would spray them heavily with a good sunscreen glaze first. Be gorgeous to see them bobbing in the wind and rain.
got it, thank you so much!!!!!!!