It's a Cinch! Scarf Clip

We presented our new It's a Cinch! Scarf Clips (Interchangeable Fashion for your Scarf . . . in a Snap!) at the Christmas show in Kamloops last week and they were a huge hit!  People loved how they could use them on any of their scarves and were so easy to use.

We have a wide range of colors available in our online store and you can also select your preferred clasp and cord end "metal" colors.  (They are actually nylon plastic but look like metal)

The beauty of this clip is that the snap base allows you to switch out the designs and interchange them so you can use it with more than just one scarf or outfit.  Any of our decorative snaps will work on the "It's a Cinch!" Scarf Clips, including the larger sizes.  We suggest, however, selecting the size of snap according to the type of scarf you will be using.  For a lighter or thinner scarf, a smaller size snap is more suitable and for a heavier or thicker type scarf, a larger snap will look more balanced.

We are finally getting around to adding some of our new larger style snaps to our website.  These textured and layered pieces shown here were created using some of the shape templates adapted from Helen Breil's Magnetic Pendants tutorial.  Instead of using magnets, however, we have added a snap for interchanging within our Snap Decisions Collection.  This way they can be added to a scarf using our "It's a Cinch!" Scarf clip, or worn as a necklace using our snap necklace base in either stainless steel or antique bronze finish.

We also have some gorgeous scarves that compliment our handcrafted items and for your convenience, have listed them as an add-on option with our "It's a Cinch!" Scarf Clips.

We carry several types of scarves:

A - Crinkle Cotton -- The colors are rich and the scarf is soft as well as light weight.  It is a nice choice if you do not want anything too heavy around your neck.

B - Linen -- These are beautiful scarves in luxurious linen that have been pre-washed and are super soft.  The colors are gorgeous and they have a slight open weave making them comfy for cooler days but not too heavy to wear.

C - Cotton-Viscose Blend -- These are a little heavier and have metallic threads woven in to give them a fabulous shimmer.  A little heavier weight than the linen but perfect for winter!

Our scarves are not sold individually but only as an add-on option with our handcrafted items.  We do have all the colors listed here and they are also listed individually in our Shop by Color section to make coordinating our pieces easier.

Turn Your Clay Designs into a Scarf Clip - Tutorial

A few years ago I shared a tutorial on how to attach some metal scarf clips to your clay.  These clips turned out to be so popular that the supplier had run out and could not get any more.  We were very disappointed and I know many of you were as well.  I said that we would let you know if we ever came across more of these findings and now here we are bearing the good news!

Polymer Clay Scarf Clip

These clips are different from the originals we used before so I have been working with them to create a new lesson for you on how to attach your clay designs.   The clips are now available in our online store in the jewelry findings section in 5 or 10 packs.

Note:  I have added this mini lesson as a bonus pdf file to my Scarf Accents tutorial.  If you have already purchased our tutorial and would like a downloadable copy of this, please contact us (click here) and we will e-mail it out to you.  We will just need the date of purchase, e-mail address or some type of info identifying yourself as proof of purchase (through Etsy, etc.).

So now on to the lesson:

These clips have a strong spring action and come in two parts --   The flat pad with a clip on the back and a curved 'sieve'.  This sieve is for adding beaded designs but also comes in handy for adding your clay and creates a curve at the same time.  I will share with you two methods for adding your clay designs to these clips.  One is using the sieve part and the other without.

Method 1

# 1 to # 4 - Attach the sieve to the clip base by fitting it between the 4 prongs.  Bend each of the prongs down so they are flat and the sieve is secure.  To do this, grab a prong with your pliers (#3) and pull it downwards then squeeze both pieces together.

# 5 – Prepare your clay design or veneer so it is a medium thickness.  Cut a circle that is the same size as the scarf clip base.

# 6 – Place the clay circle over top of the scarf clip (the sieve portion) and press it on so it is smooth and level.

# 7 to # 8 – You can add any embellishments such as rhinestone crystals, at this point.  Here I am adding a Swarovski crystal (hot fix) to the center. 

Bake your piece for at least 30 minutes at the temperature recommended for the type of clay you are using.  Allow it to cool before going on to the next step.

# 9 – Add some liquid clay around the outside edge so the raw clay will adhere when baked.

# 10 – Roll out some clay for the back at a medium-thin setting.  Cut a circle that is slightly larger than the scarf clip and cut across into two pieces (about ¼ of the way down).

# 11 – With an X-acto knife or small square cutter, cut a notch out to fit around the clip portion at the back.

# 12 – Fit the two clay circle portions onto the back of the clip and blend the seam together with a shaper tool or your finger.

# 13 – Bring the clay up to the front of the clip, pressing it firmly against the sides so it fits nice and snug with no air pockets.

# 14 – With a sharp tissue blade, trim the excess clay so that it is flush with the front and creates a frame around your piece.

# 15 - Texture the back and sides to camouflage any marks or fingerprints.  Bake your piece for at least 30 minutes at the recommended temperature for the brand of clay you are using.

Method 2

This method is for adding the scarf clip to an already baked clay design and without using the sieve portion.

# 16 – Roll out a medium thin sheet of clay and cut out a circle the same size as the scarf clip.

# 17 – Place the clay circle onto the front of the clip making sure no air is trapped in between.

# 18 - With some pliers, bend each of the prongs down and into the raw clay.  This will anchor the clay into place and not move after it is baked.

# 19 – Apply some liquid clay to the back of your baked clay design.

# 20 – Position the scarf clip down onto the back of the clay design and press it in so it makes good contact.

# 21 – Roll out some clay for the back at a medium-thin setting.  Cut a circle that is slightly larger than the scarf clip and cut across into two pieces (about ¼ of the way down).

# 22 – Place the bottom clay circle portion onto the back as shown.

# 23 and # 24 – With an X-acto knife or small square cutter, cut a notch out to fit around the clip portion at the back.

# 25 – Trim any excess clay around the outside edge.

# 26 – Blend the seams together and the outside edges with a shaper tool or your fingers.

Texture the back and sides (see step 15) to camouflage any any marks or fingerprints.  Bake your piece for at least 30 minutes at the recommended temperature for the brand of clay you are using.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and have fun with it.  If so, we like to hear from you and leave a comment.

To see how to wear these clips, you can check out a few ideas on our website.  We will be updating with new photos and ideas very soon!  

Our New Scarf Clip Findings Arrived!

We are very excited that we finally found some new findings to create the scarf clips!  They are not quite the same as the original clips we used in my tutorial I shared a few years ago but are a little easier to work with.

I will be sharing with you very soon on how to work with these new clips and add your clay designs to them.  In the meantime we have already added them to our online store in the jewelry findings section so they are ready to purchase.

And remember that our buffing pads are on sale until the end of December.  We are donating a larger portion of the sale to the Samunnat project until then as well (you can read more about that in our last post here.)

If you are looking to purchase some of our finished scarf clips, we have some new designs added to our online store.

How to Make a Roll Up Scarf Slide or Ring in Polymer Clay

A few years ago I shared a free tutorial on how to attach an old vintage scarf ring finding to create a scarf clip.  It was a big hit but unfortunately, the supplier who sold the metal scarf ring piece ran out and was not able to get any more.  I searched everywhere and was not able to find any and if I ever do, I will let you know.

In the meantime, I have been working on different scarf clip designs and came up with a new way to create a simple scarf ring or slide.  I was playing around making some "roll up beads" and the idea came to me.  Why not roll up the clay on a larger form to create a scarf ring?

I know this is quite different than the original scarf clip but I feel I owe you a new tutorial as a replacement, none the less, and I hope you find this one useful.  The nice thing about making these is that you do not need any commercial findings.  All you need is clay and maybe embellishments such as rhinestones.

So now for the tutorial:

The first thing you need for the scarf slide is a tube-like form that is in the right diameter or thickness to fit the size of your scarf.  You want to be able to slip a double thickness of your scarf easily through the slide hole yet not have it too loose or it will not stay in place while wearing.

These are form samples shown in the above photo.
A -- Tubes we made from scrap clay.  You can make them in any size you want.
B - A whisk fell apart on me so I saved the handle and it makes a perfect size form.  I like how the paper covering slides off easily (see step 11).
C - A cardboard tube that I cut a piece off for easier handling. 

#1 - You will need some type of paper to use as a base for your slide.  Parchment paper works but I find that glue does not stick to it very well.  I have this roll of kraft paper tape that has a water activated paste.  It is very useful and I have baked with it over and over again.  This is what I used to make my cardboard bead rack for baking shown in the photo below (see picture/step 12).

#2 & #3 - If you are using the paper tape as I have here, you do not want the glue part sticking to the form so cut a piece long enough to wrap around your form several times.  Fold part of it over so that the glue is inside and will not be in contact with the form as you roll it on (#4).

Note:  You do not want to roll the paper on your form too tight -- you want it just loose enough that it can easily slide off to bake.

#5 - Cut a triangle template from paper or quilter's grid.  I like to use the quilter's grid as it has lines marked for measuring and is also transparent.  The measurements of your triangle (with a cut off end at the narrow part) depends on the size of the slide you want to make.  The slide I am making here is for a lighter type scarf so my form is 5/8" (16mm) in diameter (thick).

I want to be able to wrap the clay around the form twice and I want the width to be 1" (25mm) and at the narrow end 1/4" (7mm).  To find out what the length should be, rolled out some clay on a medium-thin setting and wrapped it around the form twice.  Unwrap the clay and measure the length.  For the 5/8" form I am using here, the clay needs to me about 5" (127mm) long.

I then cut out a triangle-like shape that is 5" (127mm) long, 1" (25mm) wide at one end and 1/4" (7mm) at the opposite.

#6 - Texture a sheet of clay.  I am using one by Lisa Pavelka here and ran the clay together with the texture sheet through my Dream machine on a #2 setting so the clay came out quite thin.  Cut out a triangle from your textured clay using the template you made as a guide.

#7 - Wrap the clay triangle around the paper on your form.  When the clay begins to wrap onto itself, add a bit of liquid clay to create a better seal.

# 8 - This is how the slide should look after it has wrapped around the form twice.  You will see how both ends meet.  If it is too short, there might be a weak point in between and too long will make it bulky.

#9 - This is a good time to add any embellishments as the form provides a solid backing when pressing in items such as rhinestones.  I share tips on working with rhinestones earlier here and here.

#10 - You can also add any mica powders if you wish.  You could also add the powders before wrapping onto your form if that is easier.  Just be sure to use the liquid clay in between to seal.

#11 & #12 - Slide the clay piece along with the paper off your form and bake it right on the paper.  You can lay it on soft batting or here I have them suspended on my handmade bead rack.

#13 & #14 - After the pieces are baked and cooled, remove the paper by gently pulling it away from the clay.  If the papers are in good shape, they can be used again.

Apply any glazes to seal the mica powders if used.  You can see my tips for polymer clay at the top page of my blog if you need more help with this.

Variation 1:

For a larger scarf ring I like to make it slightly flattened or the opening oval so it doesn't stick out too much and sits nicer while wearing.  You can flatten it after forming but it is a little difficult as the paper tends to resist and bounce back.  The other solution is to make a form from clay.  I rolled the thickness that I wanted and then flattened it with a piece of plexi-glass.

Variation 2:

Instead of creating a roll up slide, you can make a plain tube.  Here I added a clay embellishment where the seam is to not only hide it but add more strength at that spot.

More Faux Wood and Leather

After making the buttons in our new faux wood and leather, I decided to play with it a little more and see what else I could do with it.

Here are some scarf clips in two different shapes.  I just listed these in our Etsy shop.

The spring loaded scarf clip ring is available at Shades of Clay and I have a free tutorial on our blog (click here) on how to attach them as they can be a bit tricky.

Here is the same technique and pattern in a shawl pin.

The texture sheet we used to make these items is a favorite of mine.  It is a design by my friend, Wendy Orlowski, called Feather Boa and is available at Shades of Clay.

You will notice a difference in the two shawl pins shown.  The one on the left was made by impressing the clay from the texture sheet.  The one on the right was made from an inverse texture sheet I made from the original.  I discovered that the inversion texture created an "innie" that when antiqued with acrylic paints afterwards gives the more tooled leather or carved wood look.

Renewed Scarf Clips

The Shuswap Lake Festival of the Arts in Sorrento starts this Saturday and runs for eight days.  We are finally relieved to have all our items bagged, tagged and arranged in the gift shop.  I entered several pieces in the juried part of the show again this year which I can't show you just yet but will after the show starts.

We have a few new items in the gift shop this year.  Since creating our scarf necklaces we have received more requests for other types of accessories to wear with their scarves.  I was never totally happy with the scarf pendants we had made last year as the finishing of the clasp was very time consuming and finnicky to make.  I was so happy when we finally found some actual scarf clip findings.  These have a very strong spring type closure so it took quite a bit of experimenting to figure out how we could attach them to the backs of our clay designs without using any glue.

Here are a few of our new designs using the spring clip.

And here is a sneak peak of our scarf slip display set-up in the gift shop that will be open to the public this Saturday.  We had found these shutters which we painted and trimmed in fabric.

There are two of them so we can display our brooch pendants on the other one.