Colorful Succulent Polymer Clay Pendant

One day an ad for this stunning Succulent Melamine Dinner Plate from Pier I Imports appeared on my Facebook feed and I immediately thought - POLYMER CLAY!!!  I saved the image and decided to create my version as a bold pendant.  I pretty pleased with the result!  

Ingredients:

premo! Sculpey® - Wasabi, Spanish Olive 

Makin’s® Circle Cutter 3 piece set and 4 piece set - 16mm circle, 60mm circle 

Makin’s Professional® Ultimate Clay Machine®

Makin’s Professional® Professional Clay Tools - Sphere tool 

Acrylic paint - Teal, Chartreuse, Scarlet, Medium Purple, Dark Purple 

Sponge

Clay blade

Clay machine

Clay roller

Tile

Ivory satin cording

Instructions:

To create the green for the succulent, condition and mix 4 oz Wasabi with 1 oz Spanish Olive.  

Roll with clay machine, starting on setting #1 (thickest) and proceeding one setting at time to setting #4.  

Place onto tile (or other nonstick surface). 

Use 60mm cutter to cut disc from rolled clay.

Use 16mm cutter to cut numerous circles from rolled clay. 

Gently pinch together edge of each small circle to create tip of each leaf. 

I based my coloring upon the inspiration photo, but change your colors as desired.  

Pour out a small amount of each color of acrylic paint. 

Cut sponge into small sections.  Dampen sponge pieces. 

Gently dab a sponge section into each color of paint and very gently sponge paint onto leaves in desired combinations of color.  Use 2-3 colors on each for the best blend of shades.  

Begin arranging leaves around the outer edge of the base disc, letting about 1/4” extend beyond the disc.  Use sphere tool to gently impress bottom edge of each leave into the base.  

Repeat with next layer, placing leaves over the spots where the base layer meet as shown. 

Repeat with remaining layers. 

Make a small somewhat triangular shaped piece of clay to fit in center of the succulent.  

Sponge a touch of color on center piece.

Bake according to manufacturer instructions.  Let cool. 

Roll a scrap of the green clay and cut a small circle.  Roll into tube and mount to back top of pendant, using a touch of Bake & Bond to adhere.   Bake according to manufacturer instructions. 

Add ivory satin cording.  I prefer to use sliding knot closures, but add a mechanical closure if desired.