Material needed

Art Clay Silver Low Fire Slow Dry Clay, 50 grams F14-2628BS
Art Clay Silver Paste, 20 grams F14-2130BS
Non-stick work surface F14-3083TL
Acrylic roller F14-3070TL
Fine steel wire brush F14-3073TL
Needle files F14-2022TL
Agate burnisher F14-3069TL
Carving tool set F14-3209Tl
Paragon kiln, SC-2 F14-3066TL
Wenol F14-2219BS
Craft knife F14-1578TL
600-grit sandpaper
Toothpicks
Popsicle stick
Makeup brush
Steel wool
Polishing cloth
Paint brush for wax resist
Paint brush for Silver Paste---must be separate brushes
Wax resist emulsion
Card stock
Scissors F14-3049TL

Instructions:

This necklace is created from 45 Art Clay silver squares and 45 Art Clay silver links. The squares are 9/16” x 9/16”. The center of each square is 5/16” x 5/16” square. The links are 1 ½” long x 1/8” wide. The squares and links are 2mm thick.

1. Cut out a 9/16” x 9/16” square and a 5/16” x 5/16” square template using cardstock. Prepare your work surface and roll the clay out to 2mm thickness. Cut out 45 squares using the 9/16” square template. Cut out a 5/16” square opening in each square Let the squares dry to bone dry.
2. Using the 600-grit sandpaper, sand all the squares, cleaning all the sides to avoid any sharp edges and eliminate any scratches or air holes.
3. Using the paint brush designated for the wax resist, paint a small amount of wax on both sides of each square where the link will touch it. Set the squares aside to dry.
4. Roll out a small amount of clay, to 2mm thickness. Cut a link, 1 ½” long x 1/8” wide; since the clay dries so quickly, it’s important to complete each link before going to the next. Pay attention to clean cuts so the sanding is minimal.
5. Take two squares and insert the link into the open area on each square. Fold the link across itself and insert a popsicle stick between the back of the link and the front of the square. Use the wooden end of a paint brush to press an indentation into the clay. Using the end of a paint brush, press gently down on the link while pressing up on the popsicle stick; this gives a rivet-like effect to the link. Remove the popsicle stick and set the two squares and one link aside to dry. When dry, gently sand the link with a toothpick—get the toothpick damp—not wet, and run it along the edges of the link to clean and smooth out any imperfections. Toothpicks make great cleaning tools with the clay. Brush away the sanding grains with a makeup brush—remember to save the shavings they make great paste.
6. Repeat Steps 4-5 until all the squares have been attached together. It is easiest to work two by two for the first round, then start linking the two by two’s into four by fours, then four by fours into eight by eights – until finished.

7. The last link will connect the two ends together. Once the edges are cleaned up, the necklace should be completely cleaned and ready to fire in the kiln at 1250º for 30 minutes.

8. When the necklace is cool, brush the surface of the necklace with the stainless steel brush. It is tedious to get into the crevices, to help, you can take steel wool and wrap a small amount around a toothpick to brush the insides of the links.

9. Use the agate burnisher to burnish the surface to a shining finish. Use Wenol and a polishing cloth for the final buffing.

Project Images