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.