Polymer Clay Owl Pendant

Presented by Christi Friesen, Award-Winning Artist, Author and Educator,
Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
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Award-winning artist Christi Friesen shows you how to make an owl pendant in this simple polymer clay tutorial that uses Premo! Sculpey® jewelry clay and some flat back rhinestone crystals.
STEP 1
Condition by hand two different colors to blend, creating a marbled look for the owl's body, then roll it into a ball the size of a hard-boiled egg or ping pong ball.

Repeat using two different colors to create two smaller balls that are contrasting color to the previous one to use later for the eye sockets.

Condition and roll a small ball of orange clay then continue to roll it into a small snake. Roll and pinch one end with your fingers, forming a small carrot to later use for the owl's nose.

Tips:
  • Condition one color of clay out of the package without mixing colors, if desired
  • Condition using a clay roller or pasta machine, if desired
STEP 2
Roll the ping-pong ball size of marbled clay between your palms while forming a wedge to create a teardrop shape.

Smash the tip of the teardrop down with your fingers if it is too pointy to prevent a pointy tail.
STEP 3
Grab, pinch and pull each side of the clay on the opposite end to create little horns on the top of the head.

Tip: The horns should resemble an ice cream cone and not be flat.
STEP 4
Using your thumbs, gently push right underneath each horn to create large eye sockets.

Tip: A ball-tipped tool can be used instead of using thumbs.
STEP 5
Use a straight-edge of a tool to create an indentation above the tail to better distinguish the separation between the body and tail. Use your fingers to smooth away the tool impression left by the straight-edge.
STEP 6
Condition, then flatten each of the contrasting-colored balls created in Step 1. Place each of the balls over one eye socket.
STEP 7
Place one hotfix flat back rhinestone in the center of each eye socket, adding eyes. Press each rhinestone into the clay to prevent the rhinestone from sliding off when the glue melts in the oven.

Press down into the clay with a flat pointed tool and/or continue to add smaller rhinestones onto the belly to add a feather-like texture.

Note: Any embellishment that is oven-friendly may be used in place of the hotfix rhinestone.
STEP 8
Trim the end of the orange carrot created in Step 1 with a clay cutter then press it underneath the eyes on the owl's face while simultaneously pinching with your index finger and thumb to create a more distinct beak.
STEP 9
Press and drag a pointy-edge tool along the tail and ears to create a fluffy, feathered look then add lashes along the eyes if desired.
STEP 10
Form the two balls of clay left over from Step 1 into teardrops then flatten, making sure to slightly create a curve with your thumb. Press the teardrops on either side of the owl in the shoulder position with the more pointy-edge pointed down.

Note: The position of the wings are limitless; they can lie flat against its side to keep warm or outstretched getting ready to take flight.
STEP 11
Pierce the owl through the side of its head with a pointed tool to string or tip the owl's tail back, level with the tabletop then add tiny feet made from orange clay to the underside of the owl, to use it as a paperweight, if desired.

Tip: Continue to pierce through the same hole with a gradually larger skewer if ribbon is to be strung through.

Bake according to manufacturer's instructions.

Have a question regarding this project? Email Customer Service.

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