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by: Dwyn Tomlinson

As I mentioned in the update, when we got these new Swarovski crystal letters in - I was fascinated by the shapes, not just as letters, but in the other shapes they suggested, and in the way they could be combined. The K's for instance, back to back and toe to toe - resemble a series of X's, or perhaps laces tied up, criss-crossing.

Donning gloves first, I started with a small ball of Apoxie clay - and kneaded the two parts together. When it was completely mixed, I changed gloves (so as not to get random clay fingerprints on the ring - I change gloves a LOT when working with the clay - so as to not transfer it to places I don't want it.) and I pressed the clay into the ring bezel, and pressed it out to the corners, making it nice and smooth and flat.

Using tweezers - I positioned the 4 K's as K, upside down K, K and upside down K. I pressed them firmly down into the clay, and then used the tip of the tweezers to texture the clay. (I made a point of cleaning the tweezers thoroughly as soon as I was done.) I then propped the ring in an upright position (I balanced in on the edge of one of the little containers I have with beads in) and left it to harden overnight.

Next day, I used a q-tip to apply Gilders Past to the clay, to emphasize the texture.

I liked it so much, I made a second one, using Blue Apoxie clay. This one, I used a slightly smaller ball of clay, and pressed the letters in deeper, making sure they were flat and level with the bezel sides. I left the clay smooth, and in two ridges on each side. Alternate designs could include tiny round stones at the sides of the K's.

I was hoping that the blue clay would turn out darker, more like a lapis blue, and it actually came out quite a bit lighter than the dark, dark blue it is in the package. Next time, I might try mixing in some black - maybe even making it kind of swirly and streaky.

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		s29344 Findings - 16x29mm Rectangle Bezel Ring - Bright Brass	Price: $ 10.85 per	Sorry - this item is unavailable.
		24901023-00 Findings - 16x29mm Rectangle Bezel Ring - Silverplated (this is the silver one, for the second ring)	Price: $ 15.48 per	Sorry - this item is unavailable.
		88818840-03 Patina - Gilders Paste - Inca Gold (30 ml tin)	Price: $ 18.94 per	Sorry - this item is unavailable.
	Qty: 4	s30143 Swarovski Fancy Stone - Crystal Letters (Article 4889) - K	Price: $ 0.50 per	Sorry - this item is unavailable.
		88819003 Two Part Epoxy Clay - [113 grams] Apoxie Sculpt - Black (Pack) - Discontinued - 30% off! (I used a ball about the size of an almond.)	Price: $ 16.50 per	Sorry - this item is unavailable.
		88819012 Two Part Epoxy Clay - [113 grams] Apoxie Sculpt - Blue (Pack) - Discontinued - 30% off! (This was the blue.)	Price: $ 19.25 per	Sorry - this item is unavailable.