CREATE BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY BACKS WITH STENCILS (polymer clay tip)

During a workshop I recently taught in Geneva, I chose to decorate the back of my pendants using stencils.
I was surprised to discover that some participants — even though they are very familiar with my creative universe — were seeing this technique for the first time.
It made me want to share again some of the techniques I have been using for years, techniques that have become so natural in my own practice that I sometimes forget how useful they can be to others.

Why work on the back of your jewelry pieces?

When creating polymer clay jewelry, we often spend a great deal of time focusing on the front… and almost forget about the back. Yet a beautifully finished back makes all the difference: it gives the piece a refined, complete, and professional feel.

I have always paid close attention to the back of my jewelry pieces: it feels like a little gift to the person who will wear them. I enjoy adding textured patterns, and for this I sometimes use a stencil together with fabric. The video I am sharing here dates back to April 2018. At that time, my stencils were cut from a very thin plastic material.

Stencils have been part of my creative universe for a very long time.

I was already talking about them in an article published in May 2020, where I shared my love for this tool and the many ways I incorporate it into my polymer clay work. In that article, I also show another video in which I use stencils cut from a thicker, more durable plastic — the same material I still use today.

Read the article : THE STENCILS AND I

My New Stencil Designs

Today, I am introducing entirely new stencil designs, created specifically for use in jewelry making.

They are :

• in a small format (7 x 10 cm) perfectly suited for jewelry making
• made from a thin yet durable plastic
• perfect for creating textures, especially on the back of jewelry pieces

I also use them very often with acrylic paint to enrich textures and surface effects.

Discover the latest stencils available in the shop :

And what about you — do you also pay attention to the back of your jewelry pieces?

This tip is one of those small techniques I’ve been using for years that truly makes a difference in the final look and feel of a piece of jewelry.

A thoughtfully finished back — even in a subtle way — instantly gives a piece a more refined and polished feel.

And what about you — do you pay attention to the back of your jewelry pieces?
Do you already use stencils in your finishing process?

I would love to hear about your own habits and tips in the comments.