Polymer Clay Jewelry: The Art of Aging Gracefully

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Do you find natural beauty in imperfect, worn-out, broken, and aging items? If so, you’re in the right place! Christi Friesen will guide you through fascinating techniques for creating the look of antique, repaired, and lovingly used items using polymer clay. You’ll even use vintage items, experiment with shattered and broken forms, and channel nature’s own oxidation process with patinas. With Christi’s help, you’ll embrace the wabi-sabi mentality of finding true beauty in life’s imperfection and transience.

Welcome

Christi welcomes you to this class on finding the beauty in aged and imperfect items and applying these qualities to your jewelry

Meet Christi Friesen

Learn about Christi, her artistic inspirations, and her love of polymer clay and mixed media.

Tools & Materials

Learn the basics for getting started with polymer clay, plus some fun extra tools to try!

First Things First

Learn how to condition, blend and store your clay.

Vintage Pendant

Adding timeworn found objects to your clay is a great way to create an antique feel. As you browse thrift stores, yard sales, the gutters or even the nooks and crannies of your own home, save your favorite little relics. (As Christi says, it’s not hoarding if you’re going to use them!)

Shatter Beads

Are you someone who appreciates the beauty in the intricate patterns of shattered glass? If so, get ready to transfer that fascinating design to beads by creating your own molds.

Neolithic Spiral Bead

We are fascinated by artifacts that link us to our distant past. Learn Christi’s skillful techniques to recreate an ancient symbol.

Metallicious Patina Brooch

Did you know you can make polymer clay look like it was fashioned from metal, simply by applying a metal coating? And once something is metallic, you always have the option to age it with patinas. If you love verdigris, that streaky, greenish corrosion on bronze and copper, you’ll love this antique-looking brooch.

Kintsugi Earrings

In Western culture, if we repair something, we tend to do our best to ensure that those repairs never show. In contrast, the Japanese tradition of repairing broken pottery with gold-infused lacquer embraces the object’s past as part of its unique story. This method, called kintsugi, is the inspiration behind your next polymer clay project.

Baking

Bake your beauties to perfection with Christi’s guidance!

Putting It All Together

Add pin backs, jump rings, and ear wires to make your pieces ready to wear!