Whip up stunning accessories and all-the-rage beads yourself?

Yes! It's simple using polymer clay - a new kind of color-saturated
clay that's clean, pliable and bakes hard in your own oven. We tell you
how to make patchwork squares, below, for the frames, earrings and the
bangle.

You will need:

Polymer clay in dark blue, black, white, purple, pink and light blue;
wax paper; sharp knife;rolling pin; mineral oil.

Photos by Alan Richardson.
Designs in clay by Paula Bress.
How-to photos by Alan Bress.
(view .PCX files)


FRAMES:

You will need: Unbaked patchwork squares; precut mat board; cardboard
for backing; glue.

TO DO:
Arrange UNbaked patchwork clay squares side by side on mat board (precut to
frame shape); press edges to join; fill extra spaces with clay strips.

Bake on mat, following clay manufacturer's directions.

When cool, glue patchwork square frame to the mat. To back mat, place mat
face down on work surface, apply glue to sides and bottom (top remains
open to insert photo), set cardboard backing on top.



EARRINGS/CUFFLINKS:

You will need: BAKED patchwork squares; earring posts; pinbacks; cufflink
findings; glue.

TO DO:
Allow squares to coll after baking; glue findings to backs.



BANGLE:

You will need: UNbaked patchwork sqaures; inexpensive bangle bracelet.

TO DO:
Arrange patchwork squares side by side on wax paper; press edges together
to join; lift and wrap strip around bangle. EDGING: Roll out 2 colors
1/16" thick. Place one on top of the other; roll in jelly roll, cut in
1/8" disks. Press disks to edges of clay bangle; smooth. Bake on
cookie sheet following manufacturer's directions.