Elephant Terracotta Necklace

This handmade terracotta necklace is the perfect statement piece for any outfit. It is entirely customizable and easy to make. Follow these steps to learn how you can make one for yourself.

For this project you will need

• Terracotta oven bake clay
• Gold 16 gauge wire
• Blue glass beads (or whatever kind you choose)
• Acrylic Paint
• Paintbrush
• Sharpie Marker
• Embroidery Thread
• Lobster Clasp
• Gold Chain
• Mirror tiles - I used both circular and square tiles
• Gold heads pins
• Gold jump rings
• Pliers
• Optional - E-600 glue and a One-Step-Looper

For this project you will need

• Terracotta oven bake clay
• Gold 16 gauge wire
• Blue glass beads (or whatever kind you choose)
• Acrylic
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Sharpie Marker
• Embroidery Thread
• Lobster Clasp
• Gold Chain
• Mirror tiles - I used both circular and square tiles
• Gold heads pins
• Gold jump rings
• Pliers
• Optional
  • E-600 glue and a One-Step-Looper

To create the mirror beads you will need

• Terracotta polymer clay
• Mirror tiles in different shapes
• A flat surface

Take a chunk of terracotta clay and roll it into a smooth ball. Lay the ball on a hard surface and press the mirror tile into the clay. Push the tile deep enough that it sits securely in the clay. Repeat these steps till you have the desired number of beads.

Gather a pair of pliers or a one-step-looper and the 16 gauge gold wire. Cut the wire into one inch pieces (exact measurements are not necessary). Use pliers to form a small loop on one end. Create twice as many pins as mirror beads and one for the elephant charm.

Insert the pins you created into each mirror bead. Put one pin at the top of bead and another at the bottom. Before baking lay out all the beads on a piece of tinfoil to ensure that they create the desired pattern. Bake the beads according to the instructions on the package of your clay.

Once the beads have baked and cooled it is time to paint on the geometric design. Use a small paintbrush and acrylic paint to create small triangles on the beads. Let the first layer dry before adding a second coat of paint. Once dry, outline the geometric shapes with a black marker to make the pattern more refined.

To create the elephant pendent you will need

• Terracotta polymer clay
• Yellow Polymer Clay
• Blue Polymer Clay
• Orange Polymer Clay
• Rolling Pin
• A clay knife

Start off by creating the leaf base for the elephant. To do this, flatten out a ball of terracotta clay and cut it into the shape of a leaf. For texture, use a toothpick to create the veins of the leaf. Use the image above as a reference. For the elephant roll out a ball of yellow polymer clay into a thin sheet. Cut out the shape of an elephant using the clay knife. Smooth out the edges with your finger.

To create the decorative rug that lays on the elephant you will need light blue, dark blue, and orange polymer clay. Roll out a small ball of light blue polymer clay into a thin sheet. Use a clay knife to cut out a small rectangle shape. Cut down two corners of the rectangle to form a triangular shape. Roll out the dark blue clay into a thin sheet and cut out a small triangle. Place this over the light blue rug. Cut out two thin rectangles out of orange clay to add a pop of color. You may also add a small orange flower. You can add, take out, or change any of the elements discussed above. Insert a pin into the top of the charm and bake according to package instructions.

String a small blue bead through a gold headpin. Use pliers or a one step looper to create a loop. Use a gold jump ring to attach the bead to the mirror bead. You may string more than one bead into the headpin. Repeat this step for the other mirror beads.

Connect the beads together using pliers and jump rings. Lay out the connected beads into the pattern you desire. A reference image is shown above. Cut a desired length of the 16 gauge gold wire to string all of the beads together.

Attach a lobster clay to one end of the wire using a pair of pliers. Add a small gold chain to the other end. To add a pop of color gather blue, yellow, and orange embroidery threads. Hold these strings together and wrap them tightly around the gold wire. Wrap the string into between the mirror beads and tie a knot at each end.

Congratulations! Your piece is ready to be worn and adored. Pair your wonderful creation with any outfit to make it unique.

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