Hollow metal clay forms are typically built over organic cores like wood clay or cork clay. When the clay is fired in a kiln, these organic cores burn to ash. My hollow metal clay pendant is different, because it’s made without a core. It goes into the kiln hollow, so it comes out of the kiln without the telltale rattle of residual core ash.
Careful construction is the secret. You’ll subtly texture each of the pendant’s metal clay panels, then transfer them to a 3-D polymer clay “template,” or form, to dry. By drying each panel on the same 3-D form, the panels will have the same shape, making it easier for you to assemble them precisely to make the bud shape. I used embellishments and a sophisticated bail design to accentuate the pendant’s elegant lines. Each of the pendant’s four sides is textured with a different pattern.
SUPPLIES
- Template (you can print from the PDF)
- Metal clay: 50 g
- Metal clay slip
- Cardstock
- Polymer clay: 25 g
- Glycerin
- Drafting template (optional)
You'll also find our TOOLBOX for metal clay an invaluable resource for all the tools you'll need to finish your project.