Crafting On The Go: Midnight Blue Polymer Clay Jewelry

Crafting on the go can be easy.  I was recently on the road for a few weeks and knew I would have plenty of downtime and would likely want to spend some time crafting. I knew I had to keep it compact.  Two kids, two adults and a dog in one SUV for four weeks, does not allow for much extra room.  You do not have to pack a ton of items and creating does not have to be complicated.  I decided to pack some jewelry items and polymer clay to create a pretty polymer clay jewelry set.
To create the focal pieces, I used found items from around the hotel.  I used a toothpick to make the holes in the clay and a fork to apply the texture on the polymer clay.  To cut the the shape of the clay, I used half a plastic Easter egg found under the car seat.  Then, plastic wrap from a food container to keep the finger prints off, and a piece of sheet paper from the printer as my work surface.

Supplies needed to make your own polymer clay jewelry on the go:

• Sculpey Premo Polymer Clay
• Blue and Light Blue Glass Beads
• Jewelry Finding Pack (includes eye pins, jump rings, fish hooks, etc.)
• Figaro Chain
• Slip On Bails
• Printer Paper
• Toothpick
• Plastic Fork, Egg Shell, Tube & Plastic Wrap

Condition the clay and roll out on a sheet of paper.  I used a plastic tube to roll out the clay.  Use the fork or other found object to create a pattern in the polymer clay.
Place a sheet of plastic wrap over the clay to cover the clay and prevent finger prints. Use the toothpick to place holes in the clay.
Cut your desired pieces.

Bake in the oven on 275 degrees for about 3 minutes.  Remove and let cool.

Place a slip on bail in the focal bead.  Open a jump ring and attach it to the bail.

Attach an eye pin to the jump ring and place a glass bead on the eye pin.  Form a loop at the end of the eye pin and attach it to the chain with a jump ring.

Place two beads on the eye pins and attach to the chain.  Attach clasp to the the end of the chain.  If you happen to have paint, you could give the polymer clay jewelry a distressed finish.

To make the polymer clay jewelry earrings, place a slip on bail in the small circles.  Place the beads on an eye pin and form a loop at the end.  Attach to the ear wires.

And there you have it – a simple and pretty set of polymer clay jewelry!

NikiMeiners

Niki is known for her distinctive, high quality creations that feature a diverse mix of styles and highly creative approach to even the smallest detail. Her creations are simultaneously beautiful and functional.

Visit her site at www.365daysofcrafts.com or her blog, Niki Meiners – Live a Life Handmade at www.nikimeiners.wordpress.com