Hi, guys! It’s Mandi here to share a simple and classic DIY jewelry project. I’ve long dreamed of building a collection of jade glassware for my dining room, but in the meantime I thought I’d add some of that glorious green to my simple jewelry collection. I’m pretty much strictly a pendant necklace gal—anything else seems a bit too fussy for me. But I’ve been getting tired of wearing the same ol’ amber pendant over and over again.
After my marble drawer pull project, I knew I wanted to try that clay blending technique again and thought making some marbleized jade jewelry would be the perfect way to use up some extra clay and jewelry supplies! Check out the simple instructions below to make your own.
Supplies:
-green and white polymer clay (gold is optional)
-two earring posts
-necklace chain
-long eyelet
-jewelry adhesive
-polymer safe gloss finish like Minwax’s Polycrylic spray (pictured in image five)
Tools:
-baking sheet
-oven
-craft blade
Step One: Warm up the clays by mushing them around in your hand a little so that they are pliable. Add a little bit of dark green clay to the white clay, and blend them together until you get a nice, light jade green.
Step Two: Roll a bit of dark green (and gold if you want try try to add a gold striation) into a long piece, and blend them into the light green clay. Pull and roll the clay until it resembles a marble look. Don’t blend too much or you will lose some of the detail in the contrast of shades.
Pull apart some of the clay for the earrings, and roll the larger piece into a ball. Insert the long eyelet into the larger ball.
Step Three: Roll two equal-sized pieces of the marble clay into balls for the earrings. Slice off an edge of the balls so that later you can attach the posts for the earrings.
Step Four: Bake the clay in an oven at 270°F for 30 minutes per 1/4″. I baked the large ball for two hours and the smaller ones for just one hour.
Step Five: Spray the balls with a few coats of polycrylic spray so they’re nice and shiny.
Step Six: Attach the posts to the earrings with jewelry adhesive. I allowed mine to dry for 24 hours before handling them. String the necklace chain through the eyelet to finish the necklace.That’s it! So quick and easy, and since jewelry supplies are usually sold in bulk, I might make a bunch of these for gifts. Change up the shape and colors, and each one is unique.
Credits // Author and Photography: Mandi Johnson, Photos edited with Spring and Valentine of the Signature Collection.
I learned recently that you actually shouldn’t use fingernail polish on polymer projects because it reacts chemically with the clay and causes it to turn goopy after time. You should make sure any sealer you use is compatible with polymer. Just a head’s up! -Mandi
I just made some adorable earrings and beads with these as inspiration, thank you!!
What a lovely tutorial. I have been thinking of getting some clay and now I’m that bit closer to getting some. Thanks!
Awesome idea!
How stunning! Thanks for sharing!
Maria xx
www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com
So simple but so beautiful!
Faye | freckles-and-all.com
OMG this looks so pretty! I seriously thought this was real jade and got super confused that you used clay and then I re-read the title (because I’m smart like that) and was like YESSSSS I can make this!!!
What I’m really trying to say: This is so beautiful and I can’t wait to make one and thanks for sharing! 🙂
This DIY is so great, I’m surprised by the fact that it is even possible to make such a necklace and earrings yourself. I’m defenantly going to try to make them, thanks for the good explanation!
Awe, this is such a cute project. I love how pretty the design is too 🙂 This makes a great handmade gift idea too!
Love and Luck,
Laurali Star
http://www.thesecretsurprisinista.com
After you bake, you can also paint with clear fingernail polish if you don’t have that spray. 😉
Love the simplicity and creativity of your idea! Thanks for sharing.
Such a simple and lovely idea! xx]
www.creativityandchocolate.com
SO pretty. I have got to make some of these!
Wait this is genius. I love that way it looks!
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com/
Wow! This is genius! I would have never thought to use polymer clay to create “natural” stones! So inventive!
this is so cute!!
xxoo,
nikki
www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
Such a cute DIY! I’m the same way with my jewelry (I wear very little, if any) and this a great way to add some simple pieces.
xoxo
Taylor
So cool!! ♥
Looks amazing!
remnantsofreflection.blogspot.com.au
I remember doing something similar (not long-lasting, though) when I was a kid. 🙂 Love this idea so much. Thank you for the inspiration! x
Great Project!! It looks easy to make and the result is amazing! : )
http://memoriesofthepacific.blogspot.com.es/