Dragonfly Pendant

By Patte Leathe for Arnold Grummer's

Use Casting Molds and metal clay to make sterling jewelry from Arnold Grummer's Paper Making Kits and Supplies!

Supplies:

Steps:

Dust mold with cornstarch or talc.
Condition 1/2 block of polymer clay and form into a 1/4" to 1/2" patty slightly larger than the area you wish to press.
Carefully press patty evenly into all details of the mold. Remove and bake according to the manufacturer's directions.
After the initial pressing has cooled, repeat steps 1 through 3 with the polymer clay cast instead of the mold. You will now have a positive and negative form.
Using olive oil, lubricate the polymer mold & casting, and fingers.
Using about 1/3 lump of PMC, roll out to 2 mm thickness. Be sure to cover used clay with plastic wrap and keep it hydrated.
Press this sheet into the mold, using the polymer cast to press the back of the clay.
Remove the PMC cast, and rest on an oiled work surface. Using a craft blade, trim into four separate images. Return the excess clay to the 'mother lump' under the plastic.
When the PMC is leather-hard, it can be sanded, filed and burnished. Any finishing you can do before firing will be easier to accomplish. You may also want to carve out any excess clay from the back to create a lighter piece.
Once fired according to manufacturer's instructions, the result is fine silver (.999 silver, higher than sterling's .925). The metal won't tarnish, so if patina is desired, it must be chemically applied. Liver of Sulfur with a spritz of ammonia works well. Polish on a muslim buff.
Use sterling jewelry findings. Attach with solder.