1. Easy
  2. Calendar project 6 steps

Autumn leaves necklace

Reflect autumnal colours with metal clay leaves and antiqued findings from Silver Clay

This falling leaf necklace, captures the colours of autumn by using Keum-boo and a patina – a seasonal statement piece by Petra Cameron Wennberg.

Petra has worked with metal clay fulltime since 2004, supplying metal clay artists through SilverClay as a UK distributor of Art Clay, BRONZclay and COPPRclay.

MATERIALS

  • Art Clay silver 650 clay (50-200gm depending on size of your leaves)
  • Art Clay silver 650 paste
  • 2 x large fireable eyelets
  • Vintaj findings; jumprings, connectors, clasp
  • Vintaj brass chain, two types.
  • ‘Raggy’ silk ribbon
  • Soft brass brush
  • Pliers
  • Optional: gold foil or gold paste
  • XL Patina Gel

Step 1

Collect leaves for your design. Use fresh leaves, if they’ve started drying they will probably fall apart when pressed into the clay. Suitable leaves are ones with strong vein structure. Stroke your finger over the back; make sure you can really feel the veins. Avoid hairy or waxy leaves. Rinse the leaves or clean with a soft brush.

Step 2

Roll out your clay, 1.5–2mm thick. For the very large leaves I rolled out 50gm in one go. Press your leaf into the clay, with the back of the leaf facing the clay, ensuring you press firmly and evenly all over. This is where you create your leaf impression, so do this carefully. Don’t press too hard or your clay will end up too thin.

Step 3

Cut out the leaf using a needle tool. Hold the needle tool straight, perpendicular to the leaf, for a clean cut. You’ll tidy up the edge with files when dry. Then leave the leaf on the clay, and go around the very edge with your finger, flattening it slightly to give the leaf a natural look. Shape with your fingers and prop up the leaf for drying.

Step 4

Assemble the leaves with paste and attach two large eyelets. Dry and fire. If you want to add gold accents, do this straight from firing (on unfinished silver), apply gold foil using the Keum-boo technique, or, paint the gold on using gold paste (Accent Gold for silver or Art Clay gold paste). See www.silverclay.co.uk for detailed Keum-boo instructions.

Step 5

Finish the leaves with a soft brass brush. Apply a patina using XL Patina Gel. Mix a few drops in tepid water, and apply to the leaves. For a rainbow patina, heat gently with a hair dryer, rinse with cold water, and reapply the gel. Repeat until you’re happy with the colours. Heat brings out darker colours, so go slowly.

Step 6

Assemble the finished leaf pendant with Vintaj brass findings. Thread 10–15cm of ribbon through a jumpring, fold it back on itself, and use wire to secure it. Fix the jumpring to the eyelet on the leaves. Tie the other end of the ribbon to an eyelet and thread this through a Vintaj flower bud connector, attach a jumpring. Attach two types of chain, and finish with a clasp.

Resources:

All products used in project available from www.metalclay.co.uk, info@metalclay.co.uk, 01929 481 541.

Handmade “raggy” silk ribbon from Sowzere Design, www.sowzeredesigns.com