Sculpey Premo™ Faux Jade Medallion
Sculpey Premo™ Faux Jade Medallion
Making faux stones has never been easier. A mix of granite and tinted translucent and that’s it! A simple bezel on a metal clay texture sets... Read More
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Making faux stones has never been easier. A mix of granite and tinted translucent and that’s it! A simple bezel on a metal clay texture sets this faux jade.
ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES
- 9 g. metal clay
- Olive oil or hand balm
- Texture plate
- Circle cutters—1/4” and 1½”
- Brass brush
- 1x3 mm sterling bezel strip
- Metal files
- Easy paste solder butane torch
- Warm pickle solution liver of sulfur solution (optional)
- Wet/dry sandpaper 400 and 600 grit
- Superglue muslin buffing wheel or water-based varnish (optional)
- Leather cording and cord end findings and clasp
Project Instructions
- Getting Started:
Start with clean hands, unwrap and knead clay until soft and smooth, or condition by running clay though a Pasta Machine. We recommend using a designated machine for clay purposes only. When working with multiple colors, clean hands with soap and water or baby wipes (we have found that baby wipes work best) before switching colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces firmly together. Wash hands after use.
- Baking:
Roll metal clay to 3 card thickness. Oil the surface of the texture plate. Roll the texture plate evenly across the metal clay. Cut the clay with the 1½” circle cutter. At the top of the circle, cut the ¼” circle out leaving at least 1/8” space from the edge. Dry the metal clay completely.
Clean and sand the edges of the dry metal clay. Fire with a torch or in a kiln according to general methods for metal clay. Cool. Burnish the metal with a brass brush.
Measure a desired circle for the bezel strip. Cut the ends square and file them clean. Shape the bezel strip into a rough circle where the ends meet exactly. Apply a dab of past solder and heat with the torch until the solder flows and joins the seam.
Refine the shape of the circle if necessary. Set the bezel in place on the textured metal clay part and add several dabs of paste solder around the interior edge touching both the bezel strip and the textured piece. Heat with the torch until the solder flows and the seams join.
Pickle the piece clean. Dip in liver of sulfur solution to add patina if desired. Polish the piece again to return the highlights to bright silver.
Mix about a dime-sized ball of green translucent and granite to make the faux jade. Mix completely for a solid color or leave it slightly marbled, if desired. Form the ball into the bezel. Remove some clay or add more if necessary, to create the desired domed or flat shape.
Bake the polymer in place in the bezel. After cooling, remove the polymer carefully and sand the surface with 400 and then 600 grit wet sandpaper.
Polish the surface with a muslin buffing wheel or apply a water-based varnish if desired. Replace the polymer in the bezel with a drop of superglue to secure it in place.
Fold the desired length of cord in half and pull the loop through the hole the top. Secure a half knot. Add findings and clasp to the end of the cord to finish.