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How To Make A Silver Clay Key Pendant

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How To Make A Silver Clay Key Pendant

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If you wanted to make the silver key pendant featured on Kirstie's Handmade Britain, follow our how to instructions to find out how.

By Kirstie Allsopp

Two part silicon moulding compound

Key to take an impression off

Art clay silver 650 - approx 10g

Sponge sanding pads

Stainless steel or brass brush

Stainless steel mesh, ceramic fibre brick and gas torch or kiln for firing

Burnisher or jewellery polisher

Tweezers

Plastic wrap

Hairdryer, hot tray or oven for drying

Wet wipes

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Skill

Previous experience with silver clay will be beneficial.

Budget

Complete kits from www.artclaysupplies.co.uk with all the tools and materials start at about £59.99.

Time

Depending on your skill level, it will take between two to four hours to complete.

Step One: Take A Mould Of The Key

To take a mould of the key, mix equal quantities of the silicon moulding compound together, blending well until there are no streaks. Roll the compound out to approximately the same shape as the key, place on a flat even surface and slightly flatten. Press original key into the moulding compound and allow to cure –this should take between 10 to 15 minutes. You will know when it is cured by pressing your fingernail into the side of the compound; if it no longer leaves a mark, it is ready. Remove the key by bending and twisting the mould.

Step Two: Push The Art Clay Into The Mould

Place the art clay in plastic wrap and knead a few times to make more malleable. Whilst in the plastic wrap, shape the art clay silver into a long sausage shape, roughly the shape as the mould impression. Push the art clay evenly into mould. Ensure you press evenly to avoid air bubbles. Once you are satisfied with the mould, wipe the back with a wet wipe for a smooth finish.

Step Three: Dry The Silver Clay

Dry the silver clay key in the mould, using one of the following methods: in an oven at about 150 degrees centigrade for 15 minutes; with a hairdryer for about 30 minutes, or on a hot tray for about 15 minutes. Once dry, allow to cool and carefully remove the silver clay key. At this stage the key is very fragile and must be handled delicately.

Step Four: Smooth Rough Edges

Using the sponge sanding pads, file and remove any sharp edges. Smooth the surfaces and ensure that there are no holes or cracks. You can now fire the silver clay key pendant on a gas hob, with a gas torch OR in a kiln.

Step Five: Fire The Key On A Gas Hob

Place stainless steel mesh on the gas hob and turn on the flame. Confirm the hottest part as the red/orange glow on the mesh. Turn off the stove and, using a pair of tweezers, place the piece on the stainless steel net where the reddest part was seen. Turn on the stove again. You will initially see a flame from the piece due to the binder burning in the clay. The flame will cease after a few seconds. You will see the piece start to turn an orange colour due to the internal temperature increasing. Fire the piece for five minutes from the time you see this orange glow.

Or Fire The Key With A Gas Torch

Place the key pendant on a ceramic fibre firing brick. Dim the lights in the room to help you see the glow during firing. This is how you tell what temperature the piece is at. Switch on the gas torch and direct the flame at a 45 degree angle at a distance of about 5cm. This distance will vary depending on the torch you are using and the size of the piece. Move the flame around the piece to heat it evenly. You will see a little smoke and flame as the organic binder burns away. When the piece begins to glow a peach colour, begin to time the firing. Continue to heat, keeping the glow for approximately two minutes. If the piece glows a darker red, move the torch away from the piece, and if you can’t see the glow, move the torch nearer. If the piece begins to get shiny, or if you get silvery flashes across the surface, it is far too hot. If that happens, quickly move the torch further away until the glow is just visible, and then continue firing until completed.

Or Fire The Key In A Kiln

Place the key pendant in a kiln and fire at 800 degrees centigrade for five minutes.

Step Six: Finish The Key

Pick up your fired piece with tweezers and quench in a bowl of cold water. Brush the piece using the stainless steel or brass brush until your key pendant reveals a silver surface. To get a shiny surface, rub firmly with even strokes with the burnisher or place in a jewellery polisher. Lastly, string the pendant onto a ribbon or chain.

Use an ornate antique key with detail to create your pendant. Silicon moulding compound will pick out even very fine details which will transfer very well onto the finished product.
If the art clay starts to dry out, add a few drops of water, place into plastic wrap and knead to rehydrate it.
Do as much refining and filing as possible at the dry stage to ensure a beautiful result.
Follow the same technique to make moulds of sea shells, interesting stones or other interesting finds for unique pieces of jewellery.

With thanks to Larissa Johnson