I am not a clay artist but it sure doesn't stop me giving it a go and having a good time to boot! This Snuggly Cat - Beaded Bezel Clay Cat Pendant started off with a lovely round cabochon sent to me from America. (Thank you Beverly Reynolds!)
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| SNUGGLY CAT - Beaded Bezel Clay Cat Pendant (CH0295) |
So to pay Beverly back, I lumbered her with my attempts at clay work!
I started off with what I thought was a cute idea - a putty cat, lounging off a shinny green moon. However as you can see, the clay kitten refused to play nice.
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| a cabochon and a cat idea |
Mr Snuggly Kitty was happy to hug the cabochon, but he just would not lounge! I guess he was a bit tense as he knew this was like my baby-steps, rough and tumbly, in trying to make a lump of clay into something recognizable.
Using air dry clay (white), Mr Snuggly Cat formed itself into a hug around the cabochon.
When he was dry (about a day), I gave him some colour with Metallic Wax: both for the goldish colouring as well as for protection.
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| Metallic Wax the clay cat |
Then I applied minute iridescent flakes, mixed with clearl acrylic paint to give him even more protection and a glow!
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| Iridescent Flakes and Protect Cat |
The double backing was done first with a layer of stiff stuff (like Lacy's Stiff Stuff) and then with a (semi-metallic painted) cushiony leatherette backing. The stiff stuff layer also helps with providing a base for the beaded bezel to come. The metallic flexible paint on the leatherette was to provide texture and color as well as for protection against the elements and wear.
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| Double Protective Backing |
Then the fun part of creating a beaded bezel around Snuggly Cat, cabochon and clay.
Finally the bail was glued on. (There is name for these kinds of bails but I can't recall it right now).
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| Finished Cat Pendant Backing |
And shortly after, Mr Snuggly Cat was packed off to the States to live with the most wonderful Beverly Reynolds :)
Okay Okay. I know Snuggly Cat is not a thing of beauty and wonder, but it provided me with good exercise on some initial clay work, it gave me yet another chance to bead bezel around irregularly shaped objects, it provided me with the pleasure of stitching love into a gift for a most wonderful friend. And now, Snuggly Cat clay pendant has a history! LOL!
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| Snuggly Cat Pendant |
Created: 2009-2011?
Materials:
- air dry clay
- seed beads (Miyuki, Toho)
- iridescent flaked green cabochon
- gold metallic wax, minute iridescent (opalescent) flakes, Tamiya Clear Acrylic Paint
- Love
Snuggly Cat - Beaded Bezel Clay Cat Pendant
