Video #616: Using up scraps from the Vol-080 Faux Fordite Polymer Clay Tutorial. Perfect for making a matched pair of earrings.
Topics Covered In This Video:
- I recently did a tutorial called Faux Fordite Wire Weave Pendant Tutorial (see link below video), and in that tutorial there were some left over clay scraps. I promised to show everyone how to use those scraps to make some scrap clay heart beads, but ran out of time. So here I am making good on that promise:-)
- In the Vol-080 Faux Fordite tutorial, we created a slab of layered polymer clay. When the cabochons were cut from the slab there, were some left over trimmings.
- The piece of scrap I used in this video, is about the size of your index finger… the perfect amount for making two heart shaped beads.* I show a pair of earrings made with the scrap heart beads. They are rough on the front and very smoothly sanded on the backs.
- The back side shows a beautiful swirl pattern design.
- This technique makes two heart shaped beads that match in color, but are each different and unique.
- First you roll the clay into a log about the size of a finger.
- Then roll the log through your pasta machine at the thickest setting (the thickest setting on my pasta machine is 8 playing cards thick), to make a beautiful striped “tape” of clay.
- Fold the tape in half and run it through your pasta machine a couple more times, to make the tape even more stripey.
- Now run your piece of clay tape through the machine at 1-2 settings thinner, until the clay is about 1 inch wide and a several inches long.
- Fold tape in half and then roll it into a spiral from the cut ends until you run out of tape.
- Where the fold is, press an indent into the top of the log to make the top crease in the heart, and pinch the bottom to make the point. Log should have a heart shape when you look at either end. Each end will also have a rough crackled look due to the cracked edges of the tape that happened when you rolled it through the pasta machine.
- Cut the log in half to create two heart shaped beads.
- The beads should be rough on the front, and smooth with a spiral pattern on the back.
- Bake on a paper lined pan with a tinfoil lid for one hour at the temperature recommended for your brand. I used Premo Clay so I baked at 275F for one hour. Use an oven thermometer to make sure your oven temp is correct.
- Sand, buff and wax the sides and back of your heart beads.
- Drill hole as needed, by hand using a drill bit in a pin vise.
- Then use the beads for whatever type of jewelry project you like.
- Related Video: Faux Fordite Polymer Clay Tutorial
- Related Video: Foil Pan Lids Protect Your Polymer Clay In The Oven
- Related Video: Atlas 150 Brand Pasta Machine
- Related Article: Wet Sanding Polymer Clay Tutorial
Do you have any suggestions for videos on tips, techniques or products you would like to learn more about? Let me know in the comments section below!
My goal is to help you to learn quicker and easier ways to bring up the professionalism in your polymer clay art.
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You have made a faux fordite enthusiast of me!! What a wonderful and interesting tutorial – thanks! You mention on the video page that there are “shopping” links provided for the tools and supplies we might need, but I can’t find where they are. Can you help me? I really like the supplies you use and would like to purchase some things. BTW, you are a great teacher (after 40 years of elementary teaching, I can tell when someone has that innate ability to teach!)
Hi Susan, for every tutorial there is a corresponding blog post. In that post we put together a list of supplies. The ones that are available on Amazon will be listed in a box called an Amazon Widget (blue colored box with rounded corners). You don’t have to buy them there, but they will give you an idea what is needed in the tutorial. If I can’t find them on Amazon, I will list them in a list called Other Supplies. Here is the link to the Faux Fordite Tutorial. I am happy that you are now an enthusiast!
Cindy thanks for taking the time to make some scrap fordite earrings. You know me I am always wanting earrings to match and this turned out just wonderful! I am so anxious to make the Fordite Pendant and have gotten somewhat behind with the holidays and all. My son bought me a new top of the line Samsung 30 X camera which takes marvelous pictures so am learning how to use it also. I am so looking forward to another year of great tutorials from you and Doug so here is wishing the Leitz family a wonderful 2015!
Thanks for saying that Dixie Ann. :) That is wonderful about your new camera. I can’t wait to see some of your new photos!
You can see the first picture I took of the Dragon on a wine bottle which was part of the FB Polymer Clay Challenge going on now. Your making a little sculptress out of me!