Pressed Flower Necklace With Foil Stamp

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A few notes before we start:

1. Always choose flowers that would not fade. Unlike framed art, pressed flower jewelry must be wearable and long lasting. The worst thing is, flowers fade when you wear your beautiful creation outdoors.
2. When using dyed flowers and flowers are exposed to Magic-glos directly, you need to use flowers that were dyed by absorption. Or the dye might run.
3. This is an advanced project. If you are just starting with pressed flowers, you want to try the beginner and intermediate projects first.. However, this method gives you the most unique pieces that are very satisfying when you are done. I am very grateful that Lisa Pavelka has taught me this method in person during Winter 2009 CHA. Credit goes to Lisa.

 

Materials needed:

1. Magic-glos (from my website)
2. Optional foil (also from my website)
3. Pressed flowers (prefer smaller flowers so you can see the foil stamp). You can find many small flowers from my website suitable. Some of them are even on sale.
4. Polymer clay (soft or regular any color - available in any art/craft store).
5. Small piece of glass or acrylic (for holding the jewelry pieces while working)
6. Optional stamp (prefer finer patterned ones since we are working on small area) This is needed if you want to try out foil stamps.
7. Roller or glass bottle (for rolling clay)
8. Small cookie cutter or bottle cap for cutting shapes (you decide how large or small and shape for your jewelry pieces). Optionally craft knife and ruler for straight edge cutting.
9. Optional UV lamp (from EBay if it rains a lot in your area or if you need to work at night). Black fluorescent light also works.
10. Optional flat back crystal (available in craft stores)
11. Optional jewelry drill (hand held ones works well) if you want to make dangles or pendants. Or get findings that you can glue on one side such as making pins.
12. If you are to make dangles or pendants, you need to get bails and jump rings. You can find them in craft stores or get them from www.firemountaingems.com .
13. Other findings such as ear wire, beads, or necklace are your own choices depending on what you want to make.

Procedures:

 

 

 

   

I use a small piece of acrylic to hold the pieces while working. Glass or mirror will work too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

I like to work with soft polymer clay. It is easy to roll. I use an acrylic roller and a straight blade for clay. You can use a glass bottle for the roller if you just want to try a few.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I cut out a small piece and work it with my fingers. You want to work it a little so it is even and easy to roll. Clay will not dry out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used the roller to roll the small piece out. Since we are not baking the clay, thickness is not critical. Generally, you want it to be about 1 - 2mm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Burnish the foil onto clay by using a piece of tissue to rub the foil. Make sure there is no visible air bubbles. The friction of rubbing will generate some heat which will cause the metallic foil to stick to the clay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hold one side of the foil and pull to the opposite side quickly to release the clear protective sheet from the foil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like this stamp that has very fine lines. You can use any stamp you like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have imprinted the stamp pattern on the clay. Do not force the stamp too hard on the clay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cut the clay into shapes for your design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put the sticky side of a piece of packing tape on the clay pieces. Pad it lightly so it contacts the surface of the clay. Lift it up to get rid the of extra foil. Now you only have the foil sitting in the indented pattern of the clay (see the middle piece).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Add a drop of Magic-glos. If you are working with small pieces, make it half drop. You can control this with a toothpick.

Note: Do not shake the bottle or you will have air bubbles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Add pressed flowers. I have used dyed purple bridal wreath for this demo. Add one or 1/2 drop of Magic-glos on top of the flowers. Use a toothpick to spread it out to cover the entire clay surface. Since Magic-glos has a natural doming effect, it tends to pull away from the edges. Add more drops if necessary. Add one drop at a time so you would not have a spill to clean up. Once you see all the edges are covered with Magic-glos, which is the signal that you have enough.

Note: if, for some reason, you have air bubbles, use a lighter to get close to the surface of Magic-glos. Make sure you are doing this in an uncluttered area so you will not catch on fire. Do not get too close to the surface with the lighter. A little heat will take away all the air bubbles.

 

 

 

 

 

   

Now, take the acrylic or glass piece holding all the jewelry pieces as a whole to expose it under the sun or under a UV lamp. It takes about 5-15 minutes to harden depending on size and thickness.

Note: you should go outside under the sun. Putting the pieces next to a window would not work well since many homes have UV protective glasses in the windows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After Magic-glos is hardened, you can lift it up easily from the clay base.

The clay base has an oily residue. Use tissue to absorb the oil. It can be re shaped and re-used again and again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The piece you see at this stage would have a little rough edge. This is going to be smoothed out later. Now, flip the piece so the foil pattern side faces up. Fill this side with Magic-glos one drop at a time. Use a toothpick to spread. As soon as you see all sides are filled, you can expose them outside or under the UV lamp. It is important that you hold the acrylic or glass piece, which holds the jewelry pieces and examine them from different angles of light to make sure all sides are filled. Sometimes it is a little difficult to see looking down since the pieces are clear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use a file to smooth out all the sides after hardening. Make sure your hands are clean when doing this so you do not leave finger prints on your pressed flower jewelry piece. The edges will have a frosting effect. If you like it this way, the piece is now done.

If you like the piece to be thicker or you want the piece to be completely clear, you can add another layer of Magic-glos on either or both sides. You can embed a piece of flat back crystal by adding it in before exposing the piece to UV ray. You can also add some glitter. These are all optional.

 

 

 

 

Drill a small hole. Attach bail on the piece. Now it is ready to be used for your final design.