Sun Tea Enameled Pendant Necklace Tutorial

Created by: Rita Hutchinson

Designer Tips

Clean the blank with Penny Brite per package instructions. Rinse thoroughly and avoid touching further.
Spray klyr fire onto blank, and sift on a base coat of white enamel.
Mix a small amount of each enamel color that you plan to use with Klyr Fire or distilled water in separate well or container.

Mix each with brush. Desired texture is muddy. If you have too much water, you can wick some away with a brush, add extra enamel, or allow to dehydrate a bit by allowing it to sit.

Watch closely: when the enamel begins to melt, you'll see a glossy ""orange peel"" stage where the enamel beads up before slumping to a smooth fired sheen. Fire a bit more, but don't overheat.

Allow piece to cool to before touching. You can use the locking tweezers to transfer from the firing basket to a firing brick or pan of warm vermiculite.
Clean cooled piece in pickle or with Penny Brite.
Paint desired colors/design onto enamel base coat. Allow wet enamel to dry completely before firing.
Repeat firing, cooling, and cleaning steps.
Cut two graduated lengths of deer hide lace.
Wire wrap beaded dangles of single crystal beads onto ball end head pins. For step-by-step instructions on making beaded dangles, see Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF). Attach these dangles to the shorter length of cord with oval jump rings. You may wish to add a drop of glue on the reverse side of the lace.
Attach the enameled pendant to the necklace bail with appropriately sized round jump ring. String this pendant on the longer length of cord.
Gather one end of each cord, add a drop of adhesive, and insert into one end of center crimp clasp. Gather opposite end of each cord, add adhesive and insert into the other end of the center crimp clasp. Allow adhesive to dry. Crimp center section of each end for additional security.

1 each#44-780-51 24ga Copper Stamping Blank, Mason Jar, 27x17mm

1 ten [use 1 piece] #41-847-AC TierraCast Antiqued Copper Plated Cast Nouveau Necklace Bail

1 dozen [use 10 pieces] #05-328-04-432 Swarovski 5328 Faceted XILION Bicone Beads, 4mm - Yellow Opal

1 hundred [use 10 pieces] #37-091-10-8 Copper Plated Ball End Head Pin, Thin, 1""

1 each [use about 40-48""] #61-833-12-12 Deer Hide Lace Cord, 3mm - Chestnut

1 each#41-151-99-35-8 JBB Findings Copper Plated Center-Crimp Tube with Loop, 3.3mm I.D.

1 each#41-151-98-35-8 JBB Findings Copper Plated Center-Crimp Tube with Hook, 3.3mm I.D.

1 ounce [use 1 piece] #37-100-8 Copper Plated Jump Ring, Round, Assorted Sizes

1 ounce [use 10 pieces] #37-123-8 Copper Plated Jump Ring, Oval, 3x4mm

1 each#81-500-1030-S Thompson Opaque 80-mesh Enamel for Metals - Foundation White, Sample

1 each#81-500-1140-S Thompson Opaque 80-mesh Enamel for Metals - Chamois Brown, Sample

1 each#81-500-1170-S Thompson Opaque 80-mesh Enamel for Metals - Elk Brown, Sample (no longer available, sub #81-500-1175-S, Moca Brown)

1 each#81-500-1237-S Thompson Opaque 80-mesh Enamel for Metals - Butter Yellow, Sample

1 each#81-510-001 Klyr Fire, Holding Medium

1 each#86-220-07 Penny Brite Copper Cleaner

Tools

Additional Supplies

Safety Gear: Dust mask, protective eyewear, nitrile gloves (we have a few options and sizes)
Paint palette or small disposable containers
Small Craft Brushes
Mapp Gas
Adhesive suitable for leather

Jun 30th 2021 Rita Hutchinson