DIY Turquoise Inspired Jewelry

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

If you follow my jewelry Pinterest boards you may notice it has been filling up with turquoise inspired pieces.

A few weekends ago I went on a little antiquing adventure and I discovered this ammmmazing turquoise jewelry shop.

Everything was stunning. I wanted to see how much this one piece was so I asked the shop owner if he could open the case. I did the whole... let me "inspect" this piece...aka look for the price tag. Ahhh $400! Bummer. Is that how much real turquoise costs? Geeeese Loiuse.

I was determined to recreate it using polymer clay. This site gave me some great direction as far as making it appear more natural.

What you will need:
  • Polymer clay. I mixed the two colors above to give it a little bit more of a greenish blue tone.
  • Black or brown acrylic paint
  • Sand
  • A hand sander
  • Old tupperware for mixing
  • Gloves. Unless you want sand and acrylic paint embedded in your fingers.

Mix the two colors together.

Place sand and a few tiny squirts (hate that word) of paint in the bowl. Mix everything together and really work the sand and paint into the clay. Its going to look like a big ole mess but trust me it comes together. Decide on the shape and mold it.

If you plan on making your piece into a pendant, poke a hole through it with a toothpick.

Bake for 20 min at 270 degrees.

If you are like me you might be asking yourself.."Isn't acrylic paint flammable?!!" After a quick google search I discovered it's not. I wasn't convinced so I had baking soda and a pot ready to go just in case. I learned this is how you put out an oven fire. Good to know.

Using the sander, sand away until you start to see the black veins pop through.

I covered it with a layer of Mod Podge to give it a more finished look. You could also use clear nail polish.

Mr. Opinion (my husband) told me it looked like a pile of mush. Sweet right? I showed him my inspiration and he still didn't get. Haha.



On a side note: a little shout out to one of my best friends who opened up her first Etsy shop! It is full of adorable crochet creations. You can check it out here.

80 comments:

amy b.s. said...

this is so cool! what a great way to just make what you want!

Ali said...

that is super pretty Lindsay. You make the coolest stuff :D

sherri lynn said...

This is so pretty! You should open your own etsy shop with all of your polymer jewelry creations!

Jennifer @ Delightfully Noted said...

Turquoise is not only one of my favorite colors but it is also my favorite kind of jewelry. I second Sherri Lynn on the Etsy store. I know I've mentioned it before but you are awesome w/ clay!

Erin Lian said...

That is incredible! I would never have thought that was possible with that sort of clay it looks so pretty! :) You win!
<3

Pich and Roor said...

haha husbands really don't "get it" lol. I remember one time I tried on a flowy cream colored dress & when I came out & asked my husband if he liked it he said that I looked like "a chubby marshmallow" & asked why I was wearing a dress 3 sizes too big for me .. men & fashion lol ps looove the turqoise I actually just posted about it yesterday :) have a great wednesday!!

Lindsay said...

WOW! You are amazing girl...who would have thought to do this?? :) LOVE!

my thrifty closet said...

hello I'm back. So good to see your creative projects again. Love it! What a brilliant idea. I love turquoise too. And this is definitely inspiring me!

love,mongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com

Jen said...

Oh my goodness, it looks so great! I'd totally wear that necklace -- so crafty!

Amanda said...

Hello! This is genius! I am so not creative...so glad I follow a ton of blogs that fill my mind with inspiration. Now if I could just put that inspiration to work!

Gentri said...

I think that's AMAZING!! I had no idea all of the things you could do with clay! You have opened my eyes to a whole new world. haha!

Anonymous said...

LOVE IT! My husband would probably say the same thing, but they just don't get it do they!?!?!

Jenna Lee said...

I think its time for you to open an etsy shop so i can buy EVERYTHING!

STEENIE said...

I like it, so there MR Opinion! (My husband probably wouldn't understand either) :)

Stephanie said...

I love it! I love all things turquoise and was lucky enough to get a fabulous turquoise necklace down in Mexico this spring. But turquoise is so expensive, and I think this is a beautiful alternative.

The Blonde @ Stylish3 said...

LOVE IT! Your husband is totally wrong - this definitely looks like turquoise!

Rebecca said...

Incredible. Looks like turquoise....

stephanie said...

Dangit! This is awesome. It looks really, really good.

Alexa said...

So pretty...and I love the swirls and texture of it. Gorgeous piece!

Lindsay said...

That is gorgeous Linds! I love the whole look of it. You are a rock star when it comes to polymer clay--and everything else. :)

Stephanie @ henry happened said...

Wow, how cool! I'm so amazed at your clay creations! Looks just like turquoise (my fave too!).

Almost Precious said...

How creative of you ! It is a pretty stone and a whole lot less expensive than real turquoise.

Ashley said...

hey lindsay this is great!! im so glad you stopped by my blog...i love yours. now following!

Erica M. said...

This looks cool! Love turquoise right now.

Ashley said...

LOVE!! Oooh my i need to try this!! SO cute!!

Lindsay Artsy-Fartsy Mama said...

This is fantastic!! Thanks for sharing! :)
PS I LOVE your name ;)

Anonymous said...

I love it and it does look like turquoise!! I have a Mr. Opinion too who never gets it either =)

worldaccordingtoshia.blogspot.com

♥ Shia

The Beading Gem said...

What does he know? I think it looks remarkably like turquoise! Pearl

ashlyn | nicole said...

this is so fun. i will have to try it out!
thanks for sharing love!

NikG said...

This.is.GENIUS!!



www.NikStarWasHere.com

Jo-Anna@APrettyLife said...

Gorgeous! Maybe an Etsy shop in your future....? ;)
Jo-Anna

Traci said...

I had no idea this could be done. It looks great.

Suz and Allan said...

This is really beautiful! I love it!

We are doing 5 Days of Giveaways on our blog this week if you or any of your readers want to stop by and get entered to win!

Kyla said...

Wow, I never would have thought to do this, it looks real! I love the Mod Podge effect on it too. I will definitely have to try this!

Melissa Marie Head said...

That looks very real! Great job.

My-cliffnotes said...

I need one!!!!

Unknown said...

You are so talented!!! This turned out beautifully :) What do the Mr.s know anyway?! ;) xoxoxo brynn

Lindsay said...

That is the opposite of a pile of mush! It looks fab!

Jenny said...

i think it turned out beautifully! it looks like turquoise to me.

Heather @ Finding Beauty in the Ordinary said...

Amazing! Looks gorgeous! You're so creative!

Unknown said...

Super cool! I love all of these fabulous clay things you share with us!!

Cat said...

I am going to say it right now ... men just DON'T get it sometimes! I can't even tell you how many times my hubs has poo-poo'd an outfit {which I dismiss only to get loads of compliments on it! :)}. Love your creative soul and the fact that you take the time to share your adventures with us! :) xx Cat

ChelsCheesecake said...

That is really neat! My grandpa was obsessed with Indian Reservation jewelry and turquoise and acquired a pretty large collection. When he died, my mom and I got some of it. I love turquoise, but like you, not the price tag. I'm going to try this out and see how it compares to the pieces I own.

Melissa Blake said...

I love that! So neat!

Bird Bug Pug said...

haha, your husbands response is exactly what my husband's would be

i think it looks great, even if people might not think it's turquoise, it's a cool piece you made yourself! and most fake cheap turquoise pieces from stores like forever 21 don't look real anyway!

Chelsea said...

You're a genius. Seriously :) This is amazing!!

henning love said...

you have the best DIYs lindsay! and i love how turquoise is coming back around and being popular again it is such a great color for accessories. thanks for the DIY

C3 said...

Very cool! I'm loving the turquoise stuff too. I actually took your polymer clay bracelet idea and made a "tourquoise" and "copper" bracelet. You should check it out!

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3200276957383980345#editor/target=post;postID=3238633724508273787

You make the coolest things. Thanks for sharing!

Andrea @ Love is... said...

I love it, great job! = )

Rachael said...

That is GORGEOUS! What a stunning replica! I am super impressed with your skillz. Tell your husband he'll be getting a pile of mush for dinner for the week.

mai said...

How pretty! Thanks for the lovely comment; the necklace wasn't my birthday, but it was from a giveaway win :).

Ruthy said...

Thank you for visiting my site!

I think that is a really cool DIY project. I might have to give it a try. I know my daughter will me amazed by this.

-Ruthy

Amy @ Amy Day to Day said...

you are amazing! everything you make i want to make!

What Sadie Did said...

Hahaha, my boyfriend gives me his opinion about some of the things I make - like the bib necklaces that he 'doesn't get' and the felt brooches that he 'can't believe people buy'! hahaha. Helpful males!
Great idea though and I love that you did your fire prevention research!

Sadie x
http://whatsadiedid.blogspot.com/

Grace said...

HOLY CRAP THATS SO COOL!
Thanks so much for the tutorial, I'm bookmarking this page to add to my "DIY TO DO" list!

xx Grace
Dream-Boating

D said...

Thats really neat! I absolutely love it. Great job. I never thought of using sand and paint in my clay to create cool jewelry. Thanks for the tip and inspiration!

The Coolidges said...

Would never have thought of anything like that. Turned out absolutely adorable!

Amy
www.coolidgelifeonthefarm.blogspot.com

natasha {schue love} said...

Love this! Such a cute idea! xo

Unknown said...

ooo this is amazing!! I heart all your DIY so much. I'm not very crafty...I'm more of a wannabe crafter however you always make me feel confident I can do it. I would have also thought Id've set the house on fire with an oven explosion so I'm glad you also set us straight with how to put one out hahaha

Anna xo

http://www.lifesshinyprettythings.blogspot.com/

The Random Years said...

Loveee it! I def wanna try this.

erica said...

Oh my word how pretty is this! I am definitely going to have to give this a try! Thanks so much for sharing. I am your newest follower.
xo

Amalia Athanaeleas said...

This is incredible, it looks like real turquoise. I seriously cannot believe your talent sometimes!
xoxo
Lia

Elizabeth @ Love Is the Adventure said...

Oh, it's BEAUTIFUL! What a great substitute for those of who can't afford turquoise...

Both my grandparents (true blue desert people) collected turquoise jewelry their entire lives so I'll be inheriting some of those pieces, I'm sure. But I just love, love, LOVE the color and texture! It's so earthy and simple.

Anyway, I love this project. I really want to try it.

Elizabeth @ Love Is the Adventure said...

*those of us.

I will learn to type someday.

Simply Life said...

wow! this is so impressive! thanks for the info!

Grace (The Stripe) said...

so insanely clever - yet simple. nice work! xox

maria said...

I am SO glad I just discovered your blog! I love it so much!

Ashley {hudson's happenings} said...

AMAZING! I love it...definitely not a pile of mush. :D You make the most beautiful things!!

Dorian said...

AMAZING! Pinning! Found you through Design it Chic and very glad I did!

Fash Boulevard said...

so beautiful. i love it. adore this post. if you get a second I'd love if you'd check out this weeks fash fave and fash fail. I'd love to hear what you think. thanks love. xoxo

www.fashboulevard.blogspot.com

Jennifer Hall said...

Great Blog! Following via the blog hop.
http://southernbelle35.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

That is freaking amazing! You are so creative. I think it looks like the real deal. I've been wanting to try polymer clay and I think this doesn't look too difficult. I'm bookmarking this tute! Thanks for sharing. :)

Sharon said...

new follower! this is so cool - it looks really legit! i would never be able to tell it wasn't real turquoise. as a turquoise lover myself, i definitely need to start making my own - it is soo expensive!

xx sharon/lemonontherocks

www.StarHughes.com said...

WOW! How do you come up with these ideas girlie? That is sooo impressive! All of your blog posts are sooo inspiring...you are SO fashionable, such a perfect mom and wife, amazing chef, and amazing writer too! I just LOVE your blog!

Traci said...

I don't think you were wordy at all. I love learning about people. Is that a nice way of saying I'm nosey?? What an amazing person you are!! I blog because I've always been someone that has a journal/diary that was more like a scrabook & I stopped when I got married. I thought a blog would be a good replacement & my bff talked me into it.

Kivi Kola said...

You've truly inspired me to start playing with polymer clay as well :)
I've bought a small stash and I'm going to get down to business.

Thank you for the great tutorials!

thezenofmaking said...

Lovely!

Anonymous said...

I love it! I think I might try that out....someday.

Mindy said...

Just a recommendation, polymer clay should not be glazed with clear nail polish. The two materials are incompatible. The nail polish will not dry completely. It is better to use modpodge or water based polyurethane. You can also sand with a fine grit sandpaper and then buff with a piece of denim.

nancy john said...

As a new jewelry designer who turn its love for jewelry for something more I know how hard it can be to be noticed or just appreciated.

Beautiful and Stylish jewelery

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