Vintage Inspired necklace

Vintage necklaces are getting more difficult to come buy now that older more vintage things are in.  I have seen some pieces at the thrift store that are regular retail prices just because they are older… and I am not talking about cool collector pieces.  So I decided to make a vintage inspired necklace with antique brass metal and polymer clay in my favorite color.  If you are not sure what that is wink wink take a look around and I am sure you can come up with a very good guess with in a minute or two.

Materials for Vintage Inspired Necklace

• Connie Crystals: aqua crystals, four; clear crystal, 14mm
• Blue enamel beads, two
• Polyform Sculpey Accents Peacock Pearl Clay
• Antique brass components: cable chain necklace, 16” length; square filigree beads, three; brass bail
• Darice Finding Starter Kit in Caddy: Antique Brass Plated-Jump Rings, 16; Clasp

Basic Supplies for Vintage Inspired Necklace

paintbrush, ruler, paper towel, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Tools

• Needle-nose pliers
• Flush cutters
• Clay pendant mold
• Jacquard Aqua Lumiere Paint
• Polyform Sculpey: Satin Glaze; Clay Tool Starter Set
• Clay-dedicated rolling pin, parchment-lined baking sheet, and oven

Directions for

Vintage Inspired Necklace

1. On clean work surface, condition clay until soft and pliable. Roll clay on work surface. Remove and press clay into pendant mold; use knife end on tool to remove excess clay. Use blunt point tip on tool to make hole on pendant. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake pendant on parchment-lined baking sheet in oven. Let cool.

2. On covered work surface, apply Aqua paint on top surface of pendant; wipe off excess paint, leaving some paint in grooves. Let dry. Apply Satin Glaze. Let dry. Attach bail through hole on pendant.

3. Use flush cutters to cut chain into eight 2” sections. Attach clasp to one side, then attach aqua crystal using jump ring. Attach another jump ring to other side of crystal; attach another 2” chain length. Attach enameled bead to chain length and another 2” chain length.

4. Place aqua crystal in center of filigree square. Using needle-nose pliers, curl in sides of filigree square to hold crystal securely in place. Attach aqua crystal filigree square to chain length. Attach another 2” chain length.

5. Place clear crystal in center of filigree piece; attach using head pin. Use needle-nose pliers to round edges into center as shown. Attach clear crystal filigree square to chain length. Attach pendant bail to bottom of filigree piece.

6. Repeat Steps 3-5 to attach aqua crystal filigree square, enamel bead, and chain lengths to clear crystal filigree square for other side of necklace. Attach other end of clasp to chain length on end.

Tip

1. When working with beads, use a bead mat or a towel to prevent beads from rolling away. Use cornstarch or water as a release agent when using clay mold.