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Polymer Clay
Bracelet
This polymer clay bracelet is made by cutting slices from an
American flag cane. Don't be intimidated if you have never
worked with polymer clay before, I explain everything below step by
step. If you are a beginner, be sure to visit the Tips and Techniques page first (a
new page will open when link is clicked) for some helpful hints with
working with polymer clay. This polymer clay bracelet will
look really festive for your Fourth of July party. Remember
that it can be worn all year to show your patriotism, and for Memorial
Day and Labor Day parties as well. Read on to find out how to
make this fun polymer clay bracelet!
Things Needed:
(Please visit my E-store for great prices and
selections on polymer clay)
- Red, white, and blue polymer clay
- Pasta machine or rolling pin for making
flat layers of clay
- Elastic stretchy thread for making
bracelet
- Beads of choice for threading in between
flag beads
- Needle
- Razor blade
- Clear acrylic sealing coat (or clear
fingernail polish)
- Pin
- Super glue
1.
Begin the patriotic polymer clay bracelet by conditioning all
your clay until it is soft and easy to work with. Begin by
rolling out three layers of red, white, and blue clay. Using
a pasta machine set on the largest setting is the easiest way to do
this, and makes each layer uniform. If you do not have a
pasta machine dedicated for polymer clay use, you can use a rolling pin
or brayer.
2.
I am going to explain how to make an American flag cane.
If you have never heard the term "cane" before, or made one,
I suggest you first read through another craft I have this website,
where I explain the concept of cane work. Click here to be linked to that craft
(a new window will open). If you are familiar with cane work,
then read on. This design is made using a checkerboard cane.
To begin, layer the flat sheet of blue on top of the white sheet of
clay, then trim off the sides using a razor blade so you get a neat
square shape.
 
3. Next, using the razor blade cut this square in half.
Take one half and place it one top of the other, so now you
have four layers, alternating blue and white.
 
4. Continue by once again cutting the four layer rectangle in
half, and stack each half on top of one another so now you have eight
layers.
5.
Take the stack of layers and begin to cut off slices of it
using your razor blade, as shown below. You are cutting down
through the layers. Try your best to get each slice the same
thickness.
6.
Take each slice, and stack them on top of one another, but
setting them slightly off-set to make a checker board pattern, as shown
below. Use a razor blade to slice off the sides that are
off-set, to make a nice square block. Set this aside to rest.
7.
Next I'll explain how to make the red and white stripes,
which you already know how to do from working with the blue clay.
Layer a red sheet of clay and a white sheet of clay together,
and trim off the ends to make a neat square.
8.
Cut these layers in half, and stack on top of one another.
Continue to cut the layers in half and stack until you get a
nice block of stripes that resembles the American flag.
 
9.
Next, get the blue checkerboard section near the red and
white stripes. Use a razor blade to cut out a square in the
upper left section of the stripes, to fit the blue checkerboard cane.
Push the pieces together and trim off any excess to make the
cane the same length, height, and width. Below is the
American flag cane before compression.
 
10. It is now time for compression! Gently work
with the American flag cane using the palms of your hands to flatten
the flag, and your fingers along the sides of the flag to maintain the
rectangle shape throughout compression. It is harder to
compress a rectangle or square shape, than a round one, obviously... so
take your time. You want the size of the cane to be small,
the size you choose is the size your beads will be. My beads
were 1/2 inch long. When you are done compressing, let the
cane rest for awhile before slicing. I even popped mine in
the fridge for awhile to really let it cool down.
 
 
11. Now the fun part of making the polymer clay bracelet!
Slicing the cane. Cut thick slices for the beads,
because you will need to poke a hole through the length of the bead.
This is much harder, if not impossible, to do on a thin
slice. The stripes may be a little wavy from compression, but
this makes the beads unique and almost whimsical! If the edge
of the stripes is really distorted I recommend using a razor blade to
cut off the edges to make a sharp edge.
Did You Make This Craft? Do You Have Comments to Share?
How did you make your craft different? Please tell us! Do you have tips or ideas to make this craft better? Please share your story here! You can even upload a photo of your craft if you like. Feel free to review this craft, or post any questions you may have related to this craft. I will post my answer for everyone to see.
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