Silver Clay Twig Bar Necklace: A Beginner-Friendly Silver Clay Tutorial
What You’ll Learn in this Silver Clay Course:
How to source your twig
How to make a silicone mould using your twig
How to use silver clay to make a perfect replica
How to refine your impression before firing
How to fire your silver clay either with a blowtorch or a kiln
Refining and finishing silver clay after firing
How to solder on jump rings and chains
Polishing techniques
And voilà! A solid silver necklace made using a real twig
Ready to make this Project?
This project is part of the Online Jewellery Studio. Become a member to gain unlimited access to all projects and tutorials. Learn at your own pace, with new projects added every month and ongoing support from award-winning jeweller Jessica.
Unlimited access to all projects, 30 day money-back guarantee, cancel any time
Have questions? check out the membership FAQs
Who Is This Tutorial For?
✓ Jewellers who want to bring faceted gemstones into their work with two different setting fabrication techniques
✓ Makers who want to strengthen their soldering, fabrication, and stone setting skills through a detailed intermediate projec
✓ Anyone who loves elegant stacking rings and wants to learn how to make a set that fits together beautifully from every angle
What’s included in this Project?
✓ 10 Easy-to-digest narrated video lessons
✓ Bonus technical tutorials
✓ PDF written instructions
✓ A full tools and materials list with supplier links
✓ Closed captions and subtitles in French, German, and Spanish
✓ 1-2-1 support from Jessica if you need it
Tools and Materials needed for this project:
Browse our complete Tools Lists with direct supplier links
Materials List
A real twig
Siligum moulding compound
Olive oil and a small paintbrush
2 × 3mm sterling silver jump rings
1 x finished sterling silver chain (The length is up to you but you need to be able to link your jump rings through the chain links so opt for a belcher or trace chain)
hard silver solder paillons
Fresh water
General Tools List
A pair of secateurs (or something to cut your twigs to size)
A cutting mat
An acrylic sheet and acrylic roller
Plasticine
A craft knife
Playing cards
Cling film/Saran wrap (optional)
Medium-coarse emery/sand paper
A set of needle files
A pair of snips or side cutters
Flat nosed pliers x2
Tools for Torch Firing
A soldering brick
A timer (the one on your smartphone is perfect)
A small handheld blowtorch (preferably 2 for a longer twig)
Tools for Kiln Firing
A kiln
A steel mesh
A firing fork
Tools for Soldering
A soldering brick
Flux and a paintbrush
A soldering probe
Steel and brass tweezers
Curved reverse-action tweezers
A blowtorch
A pickling unit, pickle and copper tongs
Choose between Finishing and Polishing
By Hand
Sanding sponges
Medium-coarse Sandpaper/ emery paper
A white polishing pad
A polishing cloth
Or with a Pendant Motor
A pendant motor or Dremel
A set of radial wheels from coarse to very fine
And a Barrel Polisher
A barrel polisher, polishing compound and stainless steel shot
An old plastic credit/store card
A pair of scissors
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience to make this project?
This is an intermediate level project, so it’s best suited to makers who already feel confident with basic soldering, ring making, and general bench skills. If you are completely new to ring making and gemstone setting I recommend making the Skinny Stacking Rings Project followed by the Cabochon Gemstone Rings Project before this project. All these projects are included in the Online Jewellery Studio and can be found in the Silversmithing Pathway
What size gemstones work best for this project?
This project uses one 8mm round faceted gemstone for the central ring and two 3.5mm round faceted gemstones for the outer rings. You can use other sizes, but you will need to adjust the measurements accordingly.
What kind of gemstones do I need for this project?
Most round, faceted gemstones will work for this project. You will find a list of gemstone suppliers in the Supplier List inside the Online Jewellery Studio
What language is this online course available in?
The video tutorials are narrated in English, with subtitles and transcripts available in English, French, German, and Spanish. All printable materials, including PDF instructions and templates are provided in English.
Is this available as a standalone course?
No. All projects and tutorials are available exclusively to members of the Online Jewellery Studio
Ready to make this Project?
This project is part of the Online Jewellery Studio. Become a member to gain unlimited access to all projects and tutorials. Learn at your own pace, with new projects added every month and ongoing support from award-winning jeweller Jessica.
Unlimited access to all projects, 30 day money-back guarantee, cancel any time
Have questions? check out the membership FAQs