Asian Tasseled Pendant

Asian Tasseled Pendant
Design by Nanetta Bananto

Materials and Tools:

Premo! Sculpey clay in the following colors:
- Pearl 5101
- Black 5042
- Gold 5303
- Copper 5018
Stamplets Rubber Stamp Kit - Asian Design
Sculpey Super Slicer
Dedicated Pasta Machine (or acrylic brayer)
Sharp Craft Knife (Excel)
Black Dye Based or Pigment Inkpad
Soft Cloth
Water Based Oil Paint - Burnt Umber
Small Paintbrush
Miniature Circle Cutter (Kemper)
Cotton/Polyester Black Cord - 45"
Pre-made Black Tassel
Neutral Shoe Polish
2 large Jump Rings - Gold Color
Jewelry Pliers - 2 pair if possible
Glass Cutting board or smooth tile for Baking
*Small circle cutters in 2 sizes
*E-6000 Adhesive
*Earring Findings
*Pinback

*Optional

Directions:

Stamp geisha face with black ink onto raw clay, centered. Make sure sheet is at least twice as large as Stamplets outer dimensions.

Roll package of copper to #2 setting on pasta machine. Roll ½ package each of black and gold to #7 or thinnest setting. Lay copper sheet on the bottom; then black, then gold. With craft knife, pierce any air bubbles ad push out air with fingers. Roll through pasta machine on #2, turning the handle very slowly. Cut sheet in half. Impress 1/2 of sheet with Asian character stamp; impress other ½ with the floral stamp. Make deep impressions. "Rock" the stamp into the clay.

The top colors of the sheets will be very thin layers. With Super Slicer almost parallel to the clay, slowly shave the top layers so that copper shows through in some places.

Do not slice too deep or you will slice away the design. The surface will not be smooth. It should look worn. You may want to slice conservately several times rather than once.

Place Shapelet on top of floral stamped sheet of clay, and cut out window with pointed craft knife.

Place character stamped sheet face down on the baking surface. Place stamped sheet on top of that.

Place window sheet on top of that, and position Shapelet in place around window.

With miniature circule cutter, cut two holes in pendant, at the top for hanging cord, and one in the middle bottom for the tassel. (You can use a skewer, but you must pierce from both front and back to get an even opening.)

Gather scraps and roll into balls. Using paintbrush handle or skewer, pierce hole through ball, and then back through the other end for a smooth hole. Flatten the ends slightly. Make two multi-colored beads, and 4 black smaller beads.

For the top cord beads, make sure opening will accommodate 4 strnds of cord. Bake on an index card to avoid shiny spots.

Bake clay pieces at 275 degrees F in a calibrated oven for 30 minutes per ¼ inch of thickness. Let cool on baking surface to avoid warping. When cool, coat beads and pendant with the water based oil paint. Scrub into crevices. Coat edges.

Then, buff excess with a soft cloth. This will accentuate the metallic shifts and turn the gold to a rich tone.

Bake again and let cool in the same way as above. This will "set" the antiquing and also make the pendant stronger. When pieces are cooled, coat with neutral shoe polish. Let sit a few minutes and buff with soft cloth. It gives a soft sheen and protects the finish. Assembly: Slip beads over tassel end loop. Open jump rings by twisting open (never pull apart). Slip jump rings into end loop and through hole at pendant bottom. Twist closed. Repeat with second jump ring. It is easier with 2 pairs of pliers. Be sure not to twist against clay or the pendant may break.

Cut cording in half. Slip each half through top holes of pendant. Knot 4 strands together in one knot. Thread cords through 3 beads and knot at the top of that. Knot 4 strands together, trim.

What to Do with the Scraps: By stacking cut shapes, circles, rectangles, squares, or Shapelet shapes, you can make a series of companion pieces such as earrings and pins. Score the backs with a craft knife, apply E-6000 adhesive, and glue on findings. Let dry at least 24 hours before wearing!