Stamped Clay Pendants

I don’t know about you, but for me this coming new year is all about frugality. I’m embracing my inner DIY goddess and I’m going to finish up those half-completed projects, clean up my craft stash, and challenge myself to try new and exciting techniques (time to take that sewing machine out of storage)!

As I made my way through my craft box, I realized that I had a ton of leftover clay pieces from various projects I’ve done in the past.  I didn’t have enough to do anything too extreme, so I thought I’d make these cute little pendants, perfect for gift giving, wearing, or even using as gift tags for holiday packages.

These Stamped Clay Pendants are so easy to make…and no one will believe that you did these yourself.  You could also make a bunch of these clay pendants and turn them into magnets, necklaces, earrings, and much more.  Personalize them however you’d like and hand them out to friends and family this year.

2013 better look out…it’s bound to be a year of DIY madness!

Stamped Clay Pendants

Materials:

• Clay (I used Sculpey, at least 2 squares per pendant)
• Clay roller (optional)
• Wax paper
• Assorted rubber or plastic stamps
• X-acto knife
• Toothpicks (optional)
• Baking sheet
• Paper towels
• Paint
• Paint brush
• Mod Podge (optional)
• String
• Beads (optional)

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Instructions:

1. Condition 2 Sculpey clay squares (warm it up in your hands until it’s ready to work with) and roll out into a circle shape, about 3” in diameter. Press your stamp into the clay. You can work on a table or lay wax paper down, which will allow for easy removal of your clay.
   
2. Here’s what I used to create my pendants.  As you can see, I used a variety of rubber stamps, but you can also use everyday items.  The blue pendant is made with a broken earring.  Use coins, beads, or other unique pieces of jewelry to create a unique look in your clay.
   
3. Once your stamp is on, remove excess clay with a knife or a shape cutter. You can include writing on your pendant by using a toothpick to poke out the letters.  I wrote “Sing” in the green pendant.
4. Remember to create a hole in the top of the pendant to allow for your necklace string!
5. Bake your pendants on a metal or glass surface according to package directions. Let cool completely.
   
6. This is the fun part! Lay your cool pendants on a paper towel or paper plate and paint over the pendant with regular fabric paint. Working quickly, wipe off the paint with a damp paper towel. Some of the paint will stay on the clay, which is what you want. Try different techniques like rubbing the paint in one direction, dabbing or sponging with the paper towel, or using your painting skills to paint directly on the clay. It’s totally up to you! Use like colors for cool shadows and opposite colors for contrast.
   
7. Let your pendants dry completely.
8. Once your pendants are dry, paint on a layer of Mod Podge. This step is optional, I just like the shine! Let that dry, too.
   
9. When your pendants are dry, string your chain through the hole. You can add a bead if you’d like…I used beads from a bracelet that snapped a few years ago.
   

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.