Shaded Clay Fish Necklace

Skinner Blends are a popular way to create beautiful shading with polymer clay. The teardrop blend is a somewhat simpler option with similar results.  By using acrylic paint to custom color the clay before beginning the blend, I was able to perfectly match the necklace to the top I created it to wear with. This necklace features blended clay shades on one side, and the opposite side has a lightly marbled effect using the same shades of clay.   Both are equally appealing! 

Materials:

Makin’s Clay® - White 

Makin’s Professional® Cutting Mat

Makin’s® 

• Clay Tools 
• Texture Sheet Set D - Scale
• Fish Clay Cutters 

DecoArt® Americana® Multi-Surface Satin™ - Soft Jade, Inch Worm, Coastal Waters

DecoArt® Metallic Lustre - White Frost

Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive™

Pearl beads

Jewelry wire

Silvertone eye pins, jump rings, crimps, closures 

Jewelry pliers

Instructions:

To custom color the clay, thoroughly mix a portion of white clay with each color of paint.  How much paint you add will depend upon how much clay you begin with.  Add more paint to darken tone as desired.  When clay and paint are thoroughly mixed, paint will be completely incorporated into clay and clay will return to original consistency (will not be sticky).

To blend the three shades of clay using the “teardrop blend” technique:

• Create a teardrop shape with a same size portion of each color of clay.  (Store remaining colored clay in a ziplock bag with a damp paper towel for later use).  By using smaller portions of clay, you will achieve more actual "blended" shades rather than large sections of each of the outer shades of clay.
• Align one teardrop of each color one with point up, one down, then the third up as shown.

• Roll clay to about 1/8” thick.
• Fold in half with “stripes” of colors vertical.
• Roll again.   Continue folding and rolling until the clay achieves a subtle blend of shades. 

Place scale texture sheet onto blended clay sheet with pattern so scales will be extending from clay.  Gently rub texture sheet with clay roller to transfer texture.

Cut 1 large fish, 1 medium and 1 small from a section of textured clay that includes all 3 shades.   

Gently mix remaining clay to lightly marble colors.  Roll and texture.    Cut 1 large fish, 1 medium and 1 small. 

Apply 3-in-1 Adhesive to back of 1 large fish, place eye pin centered horizontally, place second large fish over first. Repeat with medium and small fish.  Let dry 24 hours. 

Trim eye pin ends and create small loop.  Beginning with large fish, use jump ring to attach medium, then small fish.  

Cut enough jewelry wire to create necklace of desired length.  Attach wire to large fish and small fish.  

String pearl beads onto wire.  Add closure.

Use fingertip to apply a light touch of White Frost Metallic Lustre to both sides of each fish.