New Free Tutorial - Zebra Stripe Copper Post Earrings by York Avenue Studio

New Free Tutorial!  Zebra Stripe Copper Post Earrings by York Avenue Studio

Zebra Stripe Copper Earrings by York Avenue Studio

This tutorial is a follow up to the Tutorial for Zebra Stripe Polymer Clay Cane.  Using the zebra cane slices, you can make these animal print earrings!






Zebra Stripe Copper Post Earrings by York Avenue Studio



Recycled copper circle earrings with bold black and white zebra print, handmade with my own original design. I created a zebra pattern with polymer clay and used slices of a reclaimed copper tube to fashion these gorgeous post stud earrings. Great care was taken to polish the clay to shine like gemstones and the pattern continues through the back of the earrings, which means there is no skin contact with the copper!

The tiny circles are ½ in diameter and the posts are sterling silver with comfort backings. Each earring weighs 1.5 grams, nice lightweight yet solid sturdy design.

I have these for sale in my Etsy Shop, but for those fellow crafters that follow me, here are the steps to make a pair for yourself!

Materials for Zebra Stripe Copper Earrings

The photo above shows what I started with:

1.  Zebra print polymer clay, which you only use 4 slices
2.  Extra clay, junk clay, enough to fill the copper circle
3.  2 copper tube slices - I will tell you how I made mine in a second...
4.  Sterling silver posts and backings
5.  The greatest tool - a toothpick!
6.  Sandpaper - 400grit, 600grit, 1200grit, 2000grit
7.  Dremel rotary tool with polishing wheel

I started by slicing my copper tubing.  I had saved this 6 foot piece when we had a new dishwasher installed, it was the water line and was tossed out to the curb.  I grabbed it for "someday" and stored it.  I used a little handheld pipe cutter from Lowe's working with leather gloves.  I sanded the edges smooth.

The ridges shown on the sides of the copper in the later photos is my inexperience with cutting pipe.  The tool cuts a groove and as the tool is wound around the pipe, I tightened it and went around again, tighten and around, etc. until the pipe is cut through.  My groove was off a bit, well alot and made several grooves, but eventually cut clean though!  I actually like the "stripes" because they match well with the zebra theme!

Next, I rolled the spare clay (brown) into a log that would fit the center of the circle and with the copper circle flat on the table, smashed the clay down to the bottom, leaving spare above the top rim.  I took the sterling silver earring post, mine has a ball and loop, and pressed it into the clay on the bottom until the ball and loop sunk enough and then covered it with clay, using the toothpick as a roller.  Then, I turned the copper ring on the side and sliced the clay on the top rim flush and flat.  The baked clay will hold the post in place.

The zebra slice is then centered over the post and pressed thru and down to rest on the back.  Trim the spare clay to leave a nice circle on the backside.  For the front, the zebra slice is pressed on and trimmed.

I baked mine at 265 degrees for 25 minutes and let cool.

Sand with 400grit, then 600grit, then 1200grit and 2000grit.  Finish up with the dremel tool.

Zebra Stripe Copper Earrings by York Avenue Studio

I really love the contrast of the zebra to the copper metal.  These are so fun to make and done in no time.  I hope you enjoy the tutorial and spread the word to family and friends who enjoy handmade jewelry.



Kathy

Zebra Cube Charm Necklace by York Avenue Studio

Zebra Cube Charm Necklace by York Avenue Studio

My recent post for the Free Tutorial for Zebra Stripe Cane in Polymer Clay has been getting some nice traffic!  Hope everyone is enjoying their Zebra designs and I would love to see some photos!

I used one of my Zebra beads to make a necklace with tiny gray pearl flowers.  I used Liver of Sulphur Patina Gel from Cooltools.com to give the silver a nice antique/rainbow finish.  I still can't get over how smooth and shiny polymer is after sanding and polishing!  Feels great!

Zebra Cube Charm Necklace by York Avenue Studio - Back

Kathy

P.S.  Welcome to Missy Polyclay!

Free Tutorial - Zebra Cane in Polymer Clay by York Avenue Studio

Zebra Cane Beads by York Avenue Studio






I find it amazing that something so gorgeous and in demand, like a Zebra Cane Tutorial, is very hard to find on the internet!!  There are some zebra canes pre-made for sale, beads for sale made from canes, and for a fee, you might find access to a tutorial, maybe.

I started to think that maybe there is a conspiracy amidst the polymer-clay-ers not to share the zebra without membership.  Hmm.  I am new to polymer clay and must be over-thinking this....

Well, I'm going to post a Free Tutorial for a Zebra Cane in Polymer Clay, no coupon code needed, no membership fee or registration!

After having so much fun making my first cane ever recently, I decided I wanted to try a Zebra Cane.  Since there wasn't a free tutorial to be found, I delved in and made one up!  Maybe it was beginner's luck?  It worked!

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and have great success making Zebra Canes in polymer clay!

By the way, if you happen to find another tutorial for Zebra Canes that is free online, leave a comment!  I'm still thinking there must be a "silence pact" so we newbies have to pay to join in!  Actually, I've found the polymer clay community very friendly and warm, so please don't pay any mind to my suspicions.

Simple Zebra Cane Tutorial for Polymer Clay by York Avenue Studio

With the Zebra Cane, you will be stacking layers that are equal in length with different widths.  The overall width of the stack will determine how long your stripes will be.  I made a simple, easy Zebra but you can make an elaborate Super Zebra with these basics, then add your own creativity.

Simply stacking layers of alternating black and white will give you a bar code stripe, not very much like a Zebra, but a nice general start.  This is what I had in mind when making this cane.  I kept it simple with some variations.

1.  Condition some white and black polymer clay and divide into lumps.  I use Premo brand and knead the clay in my fingers.  I am only making a small cane so I used a small amount of clay.  Divide an almost equal amount of each color into lumps, as each black lump will be a stripe and each white lump will be a stripe.  Make several, depending on your style preference.  I like bigger black stripes, you might like thinner black and larger white, etc.

2.  I start out with one black lump and roll a log.  The length will be the cane length.  Then flatten the log, not perfect, as stripes tend to be wider then thinner.  The flattened piece is the length and width of your cane.  If you want it longer or wider, adjust now.  I made a short, skinny cane because I was testing the method.  I've learned that once you make a great cane, you wish it was bigger!  This one was great but ran out fast!

In the photo below, I've made the first flattened black piece.  I've also started a second black piece, which brings us to the next step.

3.  Make a second black log about the same size as the first and flatten.  Try to make them at least the same length.  I ended up trimming mine to match.  Lift the second piece and place it on the first, lined up length wise with the first piece, but off center about 1/3 of the width.  Some of the strip will overhang on one side. Don't press yet.

4.  Make a white log the same length as the black strips and flatten.  Lift the top black layer holding the edge hanging over, leaving the other edge attached to the first layer.  (It will look like an upside down capital T.)  Take the white layer and line it up length wise with the black layers on the side you are lifting.  The white layer goes on top of the first black layer.  When the top black layer is placed back down, it should cover the white layer.  Any clay that hangs over can be trimmed off and used later.

First black layer with second black layer lifted up, like upside down T

White layer gets tucked beneath the two black layers

5.  Another white layer goes across the top, full length and width of stack.

6.  Another black layer goes across the top, full length and width of stack.

7.  I added a black layer on top of the last black layer and tucked another white layer between, just like steps 3 & 4.

Once you are finished layering your stripes, then trim the extras on all four sides and shape the stacked sides nice and flat, working the layers gently so they are pressed together.

Time to slice and see your creation!

I used the extras and lined them up length wise and rolled them into a log, folded the log length wise and rolled again into a log.  This junk cane actually turned into a nice coordinating mini zebra pattern that I used to fill in spots on my beads.  It almost looks like a Toile pattern on the back.

To make my beads, I used some junk clay as a core and used slices from my Zebra cane to cover the outside.  I positioned the slices just so which helped the pattern appear to continue on.  I used my fingers to work the slices together and a round toothpick as a mini roller to smooth the seams.

Zebra Cane Beads by York Avenue Studio

Zebra Cube Charm Necklace by York Avenue Studio - Front

Zebra Cube Charm Necklace by York Avenue Studio - Back

Zebra Stripe Copper Post Earrings by York Avenue Studio

Kathy