Make Your Own Prong Set Metal Clay Pendant

Make Your Own Prong Set Metal Clay Pendant
© GeltDesigns 2009 All rights reserved.

Prongs

Creating Prong Settings

Roll out a back plate, texture and cut to size. Trace out a paper pattern the size of your glass piece Enlarge by the percent of shrinkage for the clay you are using. Trace onto clay.

Make the Prongs
Embed prongs into the back plate; prongs can be created by:
Rolling thin coils; Using a syringe ; or Embedding fine silver wire into the clay.

Fire, tumble and finish setting. Set glass into the prongs.

Prong Method 1: Embedding Wire

Create the prong by folding a length of 22-20 gauge fine silver wire in half or select an 18- 16 gauge wire and cut to size (allowing an extra 2-4mm to embed in the metal clay).

Bend Wire

Bend both ends of the wire to create “feet.”

Embed in Metal Clay

Embed the feet into the metal clay, seal and finish. When the clay shrinks the prongs will be locked into place.

Test, Fire and Set
Test the glass to be sure it fits quite loose, but still allow extra room as the clay will shrink. Remove the glass. Let the clay dry. Sand in green state. Fire. Tumble and finish. Set the glass by gently bending the prongs over the glass.

Decorative Prongs
Before firing the metal clay, you can decorate both the clay or wire created prongs with syringe metal clay, or cut outs made of very thin or paper clay as described in the captured glass and coil methods of setting.

Prong Method 2: Using Clay Syringe or Coils
Prongs can be made out
of syringe or thin coils rather than using fine silver.

To set a piece of glass with metal clay prongs:

PRIOR to firing, follow the captured glass method using thin prongs rather than larger cut out; AFTER firing, follow method 1 but use paste to attach coils or syringe to the back plate rather than embedding the fine silver wire.

Accounting for Shrinkage
Draw an outline of or scan your glass and enlarge it using a scanner or copier by the shrinkage factor of the metal clay you are using. Trace an outline on the back plate of your metal clay piece, then embed your prongs or bezels using the template outline as a guide.

http://GeltDesigns.com
© GeltDesigns 2009 All rights reserved.