from: The Art of Metal Clay, Revised and Expanded
Sculpt this stunning yet simple Art Clay Rose Pendant necklace.
Before you begin…
The key for successful sculpting is to keep the metal clay moist as you work. In this project, a simple shape is used to sculpt a rose pendant. Don’t forget to use plastic wrap to cover the clay as you assemble the rose. You can sculpt other types of flowers by simply changing the shape of the petals. The more petals you add, the more detailed the flowers appear. Look at different petals in nature for inspiration.
Step 1:
Creating your base.
Pinch off a small ball of clay and flatten it between your fingers to make a small, flat oval shape. Roll the oval into a coil to make the centre of the rose.
Step 2:
Making the rose petals.
To make the rose petals, roll pieces of clay into balls and then flatten them. Form each flattened ball into a wide teardrop shape. Make six to ten petals, depending on how big you want to make the rose. Start with smaller pieces and make them bigger as you add petals.
Step 3:
Attaching the petals to the base.
Using water to adhere, add the first petal with the pointed end down, pressing it to the center coil. Continue to attach each petal by overlapping each one over the last. Use water and a clay shaper tool to firmly attach the clay petals to each other. Keep adding petals until you like the size of the rose.
Step 4:
Taking off the load.
Use a blade to slice off the back of the rose to reduce the bulk and to flatten the back.
Step 5:
While you wait…
Let the rose dry. In the meantime, make the loop. Roll a piece of clay into a rope. Bend the rope into a loop and attach it with slip to the rose. You can add more slip as the piece dries for a secure bond and fix any flaws at this stage.
Step 6:
…And fire!
Fire the rose pendant on a kiln shelf for two hours or as directed by type of silver metal clay. Use a brass scratch brush to finish the rose after firing. Hang the pendant from a cord to make a necklace. And there you have it!
Sherri Haab