This project is perfect for jewelry makers of all skill levels, you’ll find this tutorial easy to follow and incredibly rewarding. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a stunning piece of jewelry that is sure to catch everyone’s eye.
In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll guide you through the enchanting process of creating a beautiful and delicate tiny necklace adorned with charming little flowers. We’ll be using Art Clay Silver – fine silver clay, to craft this intricate piece, as it is easy to use and has simple firing instructions.
To enhance the elegance of the necklace, we’ll use a cutter of a romantic necklace shape, add little cute flowers, and incorporate sparkling cubic zirconia, adding a captivating touch to the floral composition. For the finishing touch, we’ll include a realistic tiny fern leaf, evoking the harmonious feel of a cozy, flowered meadow.
This lovely floral necklace is ideal for adding a touch of sophistication to an evening dress, making it perfect for romantic dinners, special occasions, or even as a thoughtful handmade gift. Join me as we create this exquisite accessory that beautifully combines elegance and charm.
Let’s get started on making this delicate and enchanting necklace!
Tools:
Materials:
Resources
General tools and materials are available from metal clay suppliers in your country
The following have been specifically used for this tutorial:
Sketching. Before we begin the creation process, let me share my approach to sketching. While I may not be highly skilled in drawing, I find it helpful to visualize the design beforehand. My method involves creating a quick sketch using polymer clay. This medium is easy to work with and allows me to see the final design in 3D, providing a clearer vision to follow during the actual creation.
Before you’ll take the clay in your hand, use small amount of Slik on your fingers and palms. Then condition the piece of fresh clay.
Roll the clay into a ball and then shape it into a lentil. Roll out the clay into a thin layer using a piece of cellophane or plastic bag. First, I used 2mm spacers (8 cards) and then I used 1.5mm spacers (6 cards) thick. Place the necklace cutter shape on the layer of clay and press slightly to identify any empty areas that still need clay. Cut off the excess clay that spreads around the cutter shape. Then, fill in the gaps with the extra clay. Roll it out again.
Place the necklace cutter on the clay you prepared and check if the clay is large enough for the cutter. If not, you can repeat the previous step.
Without lifting the cellophane, use the necklace cutter to cut out the necklace base shape. The sharpness of the cutter ensures a clean cut through the metal clay, even with the cellophane in place. Once cut, lift the cellophane and remove the excess clay. Place the excess clay into the same kind of cellophane and store it in a hydrated jar to keep it moist.
Now, we will add a textured pattern to the raw, soft clay of the necklace base. I chose a large leaf pattern because I love the natural design of leaves, and it will harmonize beautifully with my flowered meadow theme. Before applying any textures, it’s essential to use an anti-stick solution. My favorite is CoolSlip. Spray a small amount of CoolSlip on the texture surface and spread it evenly with your fingers or a brush to cover the entire area where you will apply the metal clay.
Carefully lift the cut clay shape and place it onto the prepared texture. The depth of my texture allows me to use all three sizes of my spacers either side. If your texture is shallower than mine, using just the 1mm stick (4 cards) will be sufficient to provide a strong base.
Next, place the cellophane back over the clay to prevent fingerprints from marking the surface. Gently roll the clay with a roller to ensure an even finish.
Use your fingertips to press the clay into the texture, as the natural leaf used to create this pattern has uneven surface levels. Gently press the clay to ensure the entire pattern is clearly imprinted. This technique also helps to thin out the edges of the clay for a more refined finish.
Now is the perfect time to add your logo mark to the back of the necklace, if desired. Apply an anti-stick solution to your stamp and gently press it into the clay.
The next step is to flip the texture onto the surface mat and carefully release the clay from the texture. Check the print to ensure it is crisp and clear. If you are satisfied with the result, you can proceed with the next steps. If you notice any distortions or imperfections that you don’t like, simply repeat the previous steps starting from step 2.
TIP: If you work with clay for too long and it is exposed to the air, it can become crumbly and develop cracks. This is a common issue as metal clay dries quickly when not sealed in plastic. Fortunately, there is an easy solution for this problem. I recommend using Kim’s Clay Spray for slightly dried clay. Simply spray a small amount onto the clay and mix it thoroughly. Then, wrap the clay back in cellophane and place it in a moistening jar. Allow it to rest for about 10 minutes, and you will notice a significant improvement when you take it out!
Now cut out the final shape of necklace, using your preferred cutter.
The necklace piece needs to be left until completely dry, lightly shaped over a domed former. Find a curved, domed shape to support the base, this can be made of metal, ceramic, or glass. My orange shape is made of high-temperature plastic, 3D printed to withstand baking with my polymer clay jewelry. Carefully lift the cut out shape, drape it over the curved surface and leave it until it is completely dry.
Here you can see my piece drying on a coffee mug hot plate, this speeds up the drying time, but make sure your drying former can withstand heat.
Once the base is completely dry, we can drill the holes and sand the edges. I used a 2mm drill bit and simply drilled the holes by hand. For sanding, I used 3M sponge sanding pads. Carefully gather the dust from sanding and drilling into a container; you can re-hydrate it later to make silver clay or silver paste.
The next step is to create the CZ settings. I used a 4mm cubic zirconia and a 6mm super sharp circle cutter from my Nano-cutters Collection. First, condition the clay and roll it into a ball.
Next, use a small piece of acrylic to press the clay with the CZ also under the acrylic. This ensures you achieve the exact height needed for the clay.
Place the CZ in the center of the clay and gently press it down until it is level with the clay surface. Using acrylic helps you see clearly, ensuring the CZ is positioned correctly. If the CZ isn’t deep enough, repeat the process until it is properly set.
To cut out the settings with the CZ, ensure you use the correct size cutter. Since I’m using a 4mm CZ, I need a 6mm diameter cutter to create a neat frame. My Nano-cutters are made of clear material, allowing you to see clearly and position the cutter so the stone is exactly centered before cutting.
Additionally, use an anti-stick solution like CoolSlip to ensure the clay stays on the surface and doesn’t stick to the cutter. I simply spray it onto another piece of acrylic for convenience and then dip the cutter into the solution. Then, look through the clear cutter and center its cutting edge around the stone before making the cut.
Next, gently push the cutter through the clay. If you have centered it correctly, you will achieve a clean, centered cut.
TIP: If you are new to metal clay jewelry making and have never attempted to create such fine and precise details, I strongly recommend practicing first with polymer clay. This will help you gain experience and improve your skills with CZ settings.
Carefully remove the excess clay around the setting and let the CZ settings dry to avoid damaging them during handling..
Allow the settings to dry. You can speed up the process by placing them on a hot plate and allow them to dry completely for 10–20 minutes.
After the clay is completely dry, you can lightly sand it to make it thinner and smaller. We will use these settings to incorporate them into larger flowers for our composition.
The next step is creating tiny flowers, leaves, and flowers with stones. For this, we will use the leftover clay from making the necklace base. I will use a clear silicone mold with flowers and my handmade fern leaf mold. This step is very easy and does not require special skills.
Simply take a small piece of clay and press it into the flower mold, removing any excess. Repeat this process for all flower sizes. Before removing the flowers from the mold, place it on a hot plate or wait 10–15 minutes for them to dry completely. I made them 3–4 times, to be sure there were enough flowers for my necklace!
I also have a larger flower that I will enhance with cubic zirconia, using red and purple colors of CZs. To prevent the clay from sticking to the mold, I will first apply an anti-stick solution. I’ll use a small brush to evenly coat the flower mold, ensuring the clay releases easily, as I won’t wait for the clay to dry in the mold.
Place a piece of clay into the larger flower mold, press it firmly, and remove any excess. Then, carefully transfer the flower onto a makeup sponge while the clay is still soft. If you don’t have a makeup sponge use something similar that is soft and flexible, this will allow you to easily shape the flower in the next 2 steps.
Next, place the stone setting onto the still raw clay flower. You can use a little paste to secure the setting if desired, but it’s not necessary.
Gently press the stone into the flower to ensure it is properly shaped and secured.
Afterwards, allow it to dry completely. To speed up the process, I placed it on a hot plate.
To create the large leaf, roll a piece of clay into a layer about 1mm (4 cards) thick. Press the clay into the mold and use a needle tool to cut out the leaf shape. While the clay is still flexible, shape it with a curve, then leave it to dry.
It’s time to assemble all the parts. Start by gluing the leaf in place using silver paste. First note where the leaf is in contact with the necklace base and lightly moisten the area with a small amount of water, apply a small amount of silver paste to both the base and the back of the leaf and press it gently into place.
Next, position the flowers as planned, ensuring each one complements the overall design. Carefully arrange the flowers to create a balanced and aesthetically pleasing composition. Take your time to adjust their placement until you are satisfied with the arrangement. The delicate flowers, a leaf, and sparkling cubic zirconia should all come together to form a harmonious and elegant design.
Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, glue the flowers into place using the paste, one by one. First, lightly moisten the necklace base with a small amount of water. Then, apply a small amount of silver paste to both the base and the back of each flower. Position the flower on the base and gently press it into place. I have also prepared a video tutorial that showcases the entire process of creating this necklace.
I also added a few tiny elements to the fern leaf. I feel that my necklace composition now has just the right amount of elements.
The whole necklace should now be left to dry completely. First, I placed my necklace on a hot plate to dry it slowly. Before the firing stage, I put it in the oven for 30 minutes at around 145⁰C (295⁰ F) to ensure it is completely dry.
Here is my necklace ready for firing. I will fire it according to the manufacturer instructions in my kiln.
I created a support for my necklace using kiln fibre blanket to ensure that the curved shape remains as planned during the firing process.
After firing, allow the necklace to cool down at room temperature. Never cool down metal clay in cold water if your design includes stones, as this will cause them to crack.
After the necklace has cooled, use a steel brush to bring out the metal’s luster. Gently brush the surface to enhance the shine and reveal the intricate details of your design. This step is important to complete before adding the patina. If you have a magnetic or rotary tumbler, you can use that to achieve this finish.
The next step is to add a black patina to the necklace. There are a few methods you can use for this. One well-known method is using liver of sulfur, which provides a rich black color. Another quick option is to brush on Midas® Black Max Oxidizer Solution. Personally, I prefer using liver of sulfur for its deep, consistent black hue.
To apply the patina, dissolve a small amount of liver of sulfur in warm water according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Submerge the necklace in the solution, allowing it to darken until the desired color is achieved. Rinse the necklace thoroughly with cold water to stop the patina process.
After achieving the desired patina, gently polish the raised surfaces with a Flash Shiner® or other buffer to highlight the details and create contrast. This will give your necklace a beautiful antique look with enhanced depth and dimension.
To give your necklace a shiny finish, start by polishing it with Shine Rite Polishing Pads or other polishing pads. These pads are excellent for removing any remaining patina and for smoothing the surface. After using the pads, switch to a polishing cloth to achieve a high-gloss finish. The cloth will help to bring out the shine and enhance the details of your design, giving your necklace a professional and polished look. After that rinse your necklace with soapy water to remove any dirt after the patinating and polishing process. Dry with a soft cloth.
Finally, our necklace is ready for the finishing touches. Attach the bails to the pendant, ensuring they are securely in place. Next, select a complementary chain that matches the style of your necklace, attach to the bails using jump rings. Add a clasp to the chain, making sure it is easy to open and close while remaining secure when worn. These final steps transform your creation into a stunning piece of artistic jewelry, ready to be worn or gifted.
And voila, our jewelry piece is ready!
This handcrafted necklace, with its intricate details and professional finish, is a true statement of the artistry and craftsmanship involved in its creation. The delicate flowers, textured leaf base, and sparkling cubic zirconia stones all come together to create a harmonious and elegant design.
Whether you wear it for a special occasion or gift it to a loved one, this beautiful piece of jewelry is sure to impress and delight.
Enjoy your unique, handmade necklace that showcases both your creativity and skill.
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Liudmyla Bakulina, the creative mind behind SweetyBijou, is a self-taught artist known for her beautiful and detailed jewelry. She started working with polymer clay in 2012, crafting pieces that stand out for their elegance and originality. In 2017, Liudmyla began making video tutorials, sharing her skills, and inspiring others in the art community. Her creative journey took another step in 2021 when she started working with metal clay as a self-taught artist.
Through her unique designs and helpful tutorials, Liudmyla Bakulina continues to make a mark in the art and jewelry world, bringing her passion and creativity to fellow artists and enthusiasts. In addition to her jewelry addiction, Liudmyla is also known for creating new and innovative tools for polymer and metal clay, further enhancing the art-making process. These tools, developed from her own artistic needs, help streamline and elevate the art-making process for other creators. Through her compelling designs, informative tutorials, and cutting-edge tools, Liudmyla Bakulina makes a profound impact in the art and jewelry world, continuously inspiring and supporting fellow artists and enthusiasts.
Photo Credit: Liudmyla Bakulina
