Becky Nunn of
Nunn Design has a made a project just for us! She created a fantastic bangle bracelet set using
Crystal Clay and
Miyuki delica seed beads. You can go onto our website under our
Free Projects section and see the full ingredient list and purchase all the supplies. And be sure to check out our
Nunn Design Sale, going on now thru Monday July 22!
Here's a quick tip from Becky before you begin this project:
"Sometimes it is challenging for me to try something new. I can easily get caught up in the "what ifs" or the discomfort that I feel when I'm not sure if I'll be good at something new. I need to have a conversation with myself in which I say "Becky, it is okay to do something new for the pure joy of exploring. It is okay for you to step out of your comfort zone and make a mess". I tend to design products and projects that allow myself and others to Practice Redo and Reuse. Because, sometime the first go doesn't look all that great. So, with this project, allow yourself to have fun and know that if you aren't liking how it is turning out, pull the clay and beads out, wipe it down and try again. Enjoy the process! Happy Creating!" - Becky Nunn
 |
| Click on image to enlarge |
Step 1: Open the package of Crystal Clay. Inside you will find your clay as well as a pair of gloves and an applicator toothpick. Adorn your gloves, pinch off a nickel size ball of part A and part B of the Crystal Clay and start-a-mixing. Keep blending the clay together until the color is consistent and there is no marbling.
Step 2: I take my gloves off from here on out. Create an 8-inch snake with the mixed ball of Crystal Clay from Step 1. Do this by rolling the clay in the palm of your hands.
Step 3: Place the snake of Crystal Clay into the base of the
Channel Bangle. To begin, press the end down firmly to the Channel Bangle. I pressed the rolled snake of clay down with my left thumb, then pushed it forward and stretched it out flat while my right hand held the excess snake of clay. I then slightly pulled and rotated the bracelet slowly. It may take your own system to get comfortable, but in Step 3 you are laying the clay down into the Channel. I try to keep the clay flush with the side edges.
Step 4: Place your seed beads onto a flat surface. You may need to turn some of the seed beads so the holes are all facing up. I used two business cards to create an 8.5” long strip of beads, about the width of the Bangle Bracelet.
Step 5: Starting at one end of your 8.5” strip of seed beads, press the Bangle Bracelet Channel loaded with Crystal Clay into the seed beads. Use the tips of your fingers to gently press down the Bangle along the inside curved surface. Continue to roll the bangle across your strip of seed beads until you have made the full loop.
Step 6: Use your fingers to pat down the seed beads into the Crystal Clay. I also used my fingernails to go along the outside edge of the Channel Bangle, making sure that a bunch of excess isn’t spilling over the sides. If you do have excess, use a wet wipe and wipe away the Crystal Clay while it is soft. It will be a real challenge to get off once it is set, so take your time and clean as you go. Set the bracelet aside for about an hour – you want the seed beads to be firmly set (but not completely cured) for the next step.
Step 7: Okay, we are on step 7 here and I told you this was an easy project. At this point you are probably thinking I’m a big fat fibber, but it wasn’t all that hard. In fact the pictures above are the first two samples I ever made…hang in there!
Step 8: Really Step 7, but who’s counting. If you had excess clay from Step 3, you will use if for this next step. If you don’t have extra clay, you will need about a pea size ball of parts A and B. Once the Crystal Clay is fully mixed, snake it out into a thin long snake. You will be basically using the thin strip of Crystal Clay to make a slip (like when working with pottery). Wrap the thin strip of Crystal Clay around the bangle. Then get the Clay wet - I placed my fingers in water – get the clay very wet and then gently rub it over the seed beads. The clay will fill all of the little holes.
Step 9: Use a wet wipe to wipe away the excess clay. I again used my fingernails to go along the outside edges of the Bangle Bracelet Channel to clean up that side edge. If you don’t have fingernails because you bit them all off stressing if you were going to wrap this project up or not, use a butter knife.
Note: To make the little bezel bracelet, follow the same instructions as above but modify them for the small bezels.
Thanks Becky for making this great project for us!
- The Beadaholique Design Team
