First Time To Make Jewelry, Need Advice!

[clay lover]

My students are asking for an opportunity to make some pendants type things for Christmas gifts.  I don't have a bead tree or anything to hang the pieces when glaze firing.  What can we do to the backs of the pendants that will keep them from being 'necked clay' but still allow them to lay flat for firing?  I am OK with putting these small pieces on cookies to keep the edges up off the kiln shelf, but want a way to add color to the backs.

Any suggestions?  I have a large collection of underglazes and various oxides to make 'stuff' with.

[Chris Campbell]

Underglazes will work well for decorating the backs with color.

I once fire my jewelry pieces by using stilts as supports. They leave a tiny mark that is easily sanded off.

If you don't have stilts ... Fire flat with glaze on top side, ( use food color in the glaze so kids can see to clean up runs ) ... then, after a light sanding of the unglazed side, use a clear, non firing spray on the unglazed side. You can buy these sprays at craft supply stores and they have non-yellowing formulas. One can would do it all.

[DirtRoads]

I make quite a bit of jewelry.   I paint the back and use 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch stilts.   I don't use a heavy coat of glaze on the back to avoid deep stilt marks.  We use a dremel with a grinding stone and remove the stilt marks.   I've found those Roselli stilts to be better than some other brands.

[dawn523]

I made ornaments using cookie cutters in the past.  I glazed the fronts with vaious glazes and underglazes.   The backs can be stained with oxides.    I also have used ceramic paints, acrylic paint and nail polish to finish the backs .