Craft Your Own Vintage Bird Pendant: A Mixed Media Art Project

Welcome, fellow art enthusiasts and creative spirits! Here at The Graphics Fairy, we are thrilled to bring you a weekly dose of inspiration from our incredibly talented Mixed Media Design Team. Each week, one of our extraordinary artisans shares a unique project, designed to ignite your creativity and encourage you to explore the fascinating world of mixed media art. This week, we’re delighted to feature Tejae Floyde from Tejae’s Art, who has crafted a truly enchanting Vintage Bird Pendant that perfectly blends delicate imagery with rustic charm.

Our mission is to ensure you’re not just inspired, but empowered to create! Tejae’s project is a testament to how simple materials can transform into stunning wearable art. Before we delve into the intricate details of this beautiful creation, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page to watch Tejae’s exclusive Video Show and Tell. It’s packed with additional tips and secrets that you won’t want to miss. Are you ready to embark on a journey of artistic discovery?

Now, let’s hand it over to Tejae, who will guide us through her delightful mixed media project in her own words, revealing the inspiration and techniques behind these captivating vintage bird pendants.

About the Vintage Bird Pendant Project

Hi everyone, Tejae here from Tejae’s Art! I’m absolutely thrilled to share the creation process of my latest project: a collection of vintage bird pendants. These charming pieces were brought to life using the stunning Birds on Branches bundle, an exquisite resource available exclusively on The Graphics Fairy Premium Site.

The inspiration for this project came from a wonderful moment of serendipity. A dear friend, in the process of downsizing and relocating to Florida, offered me some of her art supplies. Among the treasures she presented were these beautiful, large glass pebbles. The moment I saw them, a clear vision of a perfect vintage pendant project instantly formed in my mind. I knew these pebbles were destined for something special. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when I discovered the captivating bird images within The Graphics Fairy’s Birds on Branches bundle. It was then I realized this project was not only going to be fun but also yield truly unique and elegant results.

The allure of vintage aesthetics lies in its timeless beauty and the sense of history it evokes. These pendants aim to capture that essence, offering a little piece of art that feels as though it has a story to tell. Let’s dive into how you can create your very own!

Materials and Tools You’ll Need

To recreate these charming vintage bird pendants, gathering your materials beforehand will ensure a smooth crafting process. Here’s what I used:

• Clear Glass Pebbles: Large, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Ensure they are completely clear, not iridescent, as clarity is crucial for the image to show through. One side should be raised, the other flat.
• Bird Images: Specifically, the “Birds on Branches bundle” from The Graphics Fairy Premium Site. You can also experiment with other vintage bird images.
• Color Laser Printer: Essential for printing images that are less likely to smudge or bleed when exposed to adhesive.
• Polymer Clay: Choose a neutral color like black or dark brown for the frame, or a color that complements your chosen bird images.
• Polymer Clay Tools: A rolling pin, an exacto knife or clay blade, and possibly texture stamps or items to create interesting patterns.
• Oven: For baking and curing the polymer clay according to manufacturer instructions.
• Strong, Clear-Drying Adhesive: Such as E6000 or a clear epoxy, for attaching images to pebbles and securing the pebble within the clay frame.
• Jump Rings and Bails: To attach your pendant to a necklace chain.
• Necklace Chain: Choose your preferred metal finish (silver, antique gold, copper, etc.).
• Acrylic Paints: Various colors for layering and adding depth to the clay frame.
• Antiquing Glaze or Patina: To create an aged, vintage finish on the clay.
• Soft Brushes and Wiping Cloths: For painting and removing excess patina.
• Photoshop (Optional but Recommended): For resizing images and applying digital brushes like the French Ephemera brush.

Step-by-Step Creation: Crafting Your Vintage Bird Pendant

1. Preparing Your Vintage Bird Images

The “Birds on Branches bundle” offers a delightful array of bird images, each with different colored backgrounds and varying compositions of one or two birds on branches. This variety is fantastic, especially when creating a collection, as it adds both whimsy and a cohesive, curated feel to your designs.

First, you’ll need to resize your chosen images to fit your specific glass pebbles. My pebbles were about 1 1/2 inches, so I adjusted the image sizes accordingly in Photoshop. This ensures that the beautiful bird imagery is perfectly framed within your pendant.

While I had the images open in Photoshop, I took the opportunity to add an extra layer of vintage charm using a digital brush. I incorporated the Graphics Fairy French Ephemera Photoshop brush from the French Ephemera bundle. By applying it subtly with a soft light blending mode and layering it over the bird image, it imparts a delicate, barely-there texture that enhances the antique aesthetic without detracting from the main subject. This small detail truly makes a difference in achieving that authentic vintage feel.

Once your images are perfectly sized and enhanced, print them out using a color laser printer. Laser printing is crucial here because the toner is waterproof, preventing the image from smudging or bleeding when adhesive is applied, which can be a common issue with inkjet prints.

2. Attaching Images to the Glass Pebbles

This step, though simple, requires precision. Apply a thin, even layer of your strong, clear-drying adhesive to the flat side of your glass pebble. Carefully center and press your printed bird image face down onto the adhesive. Work quickly but gently to avoid air bubbles. Once the image is in place, firmly press it down, working from the center outwards, to eliminate any trapped air. Allow the adhesive to cure completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A clean bond is essential for a crisp, clear image view through the glass.

3. Crafting the Polymer Clay Frame

With your image secured to the glass pebble, it’s time to create the polymer clay frame that will encapsulate it. This process involves several steps of shaping, baking, and cooling to ensure durability and a refined finish.

1. Initial Shaping: Start by conditioning your polymer clay until it’s pliable. Roll out a small portion and carefully form a frame around your glass pebble, ensuring it securely holds the pebble in place. I aimed for a shadow box effect, desiring some depth in the finished piece, which the puffy side of the glass pebble naturally helps achieve. Also, strategically embed a large jump ring into the top of the clay frame at this stage, making sure it’s firmly anchored for hanging.
2. First Bake: Carefully transfer your framed pebble to a baking sheet and bake it in your oven according to the polymer clay manufacturer’s instructions. Allow it to cool completely after baking. This step cures the base frame and secures the jump ring.
3. Adding Texture: Once the initial frame is cooled, roll out another thin sheet of polymer clay. Using a texture stamp or a household item with an interesting pattern (such as lace or a textured fabric), press firmly to create a beautiful, embossed design on this clay sheet. This patterned sheet will add exquisite detail to your pendant frame.
4. Second Bake: Carefully adhere this textured clay sheet to the cured frame, trimming any excess. You might need a small amount of liquid polymer clay or a thin layer of unbaked clay to help it stick. Then, return the pendant to the oven for a final bake. This second bake cures the textured layer, ensuring all components are firmly bonded. Allow it to cool completely.

A note about the glass pebbles: They inherently come with slight imperfections, which I believe only adds to the authentic vintage charm we are trying to achieve. However, it’s crucial to select CLEAR glass pebbles. Avoid iridescent ones, as their cloudy finish will obscure the beautiful image beneath. The clearer the pebble, the better your bird image will shine through.

4. Finishing Touches: Painting and Patina

Now comes the artistic part where you truly bring the vintage character to life! This stage involves layering painted colors and applying a patina to give the polymer clay frame that coveted aged look.

1. Layering Colors: Begin by applying various acrylic paint colors to the clay frame. Don’t be afraid to experiment! The key is to apply a layer, then wipe some of it off before it fully dries. This technique allows the underlying colors to peek through, creating a rich, multi-dimensional effect that mimics the natural wear and tear of time.
2. Applying Patina: Once your layered paints are dry, apply an antiquing glaze or patina. This darkens the recesses of the texture and highlights the raised areas, instantly transforming the frame into a relic from another era. Again, apply and wipe back, controlling the intensity of the aging effect until you achieve your desired vintage aesthetic.

You might notice a subtle hint of a bird’s nest in the texture of the frame – at least from a distance, I thought it resembled one! This accidental detail beautifully complements the bird imagery. I made sure the backside of the pendant features the same intricate pattern as the front, making it a truly finished piece from all angles. These pendants are wonderfully hefty, about the size of a classic pocket watch, adding to their substantial, antique feel. Look at the lovely detail of that raised pattern – isn’t it exquisite?

5. Final Assembly

The beauty of these handmade pendants also lies in their unique characteristics. The glass pebbles often have slightly different shapes – some more rounded, others more oval – which further contributes to the charm of these vintage pieces, making each one truly unique. For my necklaces, I opted for silver components, which beautifully complement the cool tones of some of the bird images. However, experimenting with antique gold components would also create a wonderfully warm and classic vintage look, offering a different artistic avenue to explore.

Tips for Success & Embracing the Vintage Aesthetic

• Patience with Polymer Clay: Don’t rush the baking and cooling process. Proper curing is essential for the durability of your pendant.
• Experiment with Textures: Look around your home for interesting textures to impress into your clay – lace, old buttons, or even natural elements can create unique patterns.
• Embrace Imperfections: The beauty of vintage and handmade items lies in their character. Don’t strive for absolute perfection; slight variations add to the charm!
• Clear Pebbles are Key: As mentioned, ensure your glass pebbles are crystal clear to allow the bird image to shine without distortion.
• Play with Patinas: Different antiquing glazes or even dark acrylic washes can create varied aged effects. Experiment on scrap clay first!

I truly hope this detailed project inspires you to gather your supplies and create your very own collection of vintage bird pendants. It’s a rewarding process that results in beautiful, wearable art or thoughtful handmade gifts!

Vintage Bird Pendant: Show and Tell Video

For even more insights and a closer look at these delightful pendants, please watch my exclusive video on The Graphics Fairy YouTube channel. I share a couple more secrets and offer visual demonstrations that will further assist you in your crafting journey.

I genuinely hope you’re inspired by this Vintage Bird Pendant Mixed Media Project and feel encouraged to share your unique creations with us! We love seeing how our community brings these ideas to life. I look forward to connecting and creating with you all again next month.

Tejae