How to Make Terracotta Jhumkas
Going environment friendly in every field is the call of this century. We have already done enough damage to our earth. But now we can move on to environment friendly and biodegradable products to save earth from further damage. One of the fields where you can include biodegradable product is jewelry. Instead of going for metal or plastic jewelry we can opt for biodegradable raw material such as terracotta jewelry. They are cheap, unique, vibrant and beautiful. You can also make them in your home and save a lot of money. If you are wondering how to make terracotta jhumkas then keep reading this oneHOWTO article.
You'll need:
- Clay
- Quilling mould or pre-designed silicon mold
- Carving tool
- Knife
- Eye Pins
Steps to follow:
The first step to make your terracotta jhumka is to apply some oil on your hand. Then take the smoothed clay and knead it well with your hands. The oil on your hand will avoid the clay from sticking. Knead them till it feels smooth. Keep the clay aside.
Take the quelling mold or pre-designed silicon mold. Apply a bit of coconut oil in the depressions in the mold. Take some clay and place it in the depression in the mold of desired size. If you want big jhumka then place the clay in the bigger ones and if you want small jhumkas then place it in the smaller ones.
Now fill up the semi-circular mold and press it firmly. Remove the excess clay from the surface by cutting the extra clay off using a knife. Then remove the clay from the mold. You will get a perfect hemisphere.
Now take the eye pin and pierce it through the middle of the hemispherical clay. Make sure that the eye side is on top of the curved side.
Now using the carving tool cut a long and thin U shape on the curved part. Repeat this U-shaped curve at a certain interval all over the jhumka.
Next take some clay again and make a circular disk of the same diameter as of the hemisphere. Insert an eye pin through this disc diametrically.
Using the craving tool, carve your desired design.
Then make small sphere of the clay and attach it at one end of the eye pin attached on the circular disk.
Then attach the eye pins of the circular disk and the hemisphere. This whole terracotta model is called jhumka i.e. earring.
Hang the terracotta jhumka so that they can dry properly. Let it dry for at least 24 hours.
After 24 hours you will find that the terracotta jhumka is now of cream color. You can bake it for a beautiful reddish color. You can also paint it with vibrant colors of your choice. After painting the terracotta jhumka let it rest till the color dries.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Make Terracotta Jhumkas, we recommend you visit our Art & handicraft category.
