Snake Cuff Links with Viking Knit and Clay

How to make coiled snake cuff links utilizing Viking knit and polymer clay.

In order to make these cufflinks, you will need cufflink findings (available online or found in your local hobby store's jewelry making section), two 2 inch segments of Viking knit wire (tutorial here; use 26 gauge wire or smaller; omit references to beads and caps; finished wire should be about ¼ inch thick), metallic polymer clay in a matching metal to the wire and findings, clear metal adhesive (or soldering wire and iron), and 2 black or green or red seed beads. Optional materials would include copper jewelry wire in a slightly larger gauge to make a tongue, and any color of jewelry wire to create a striped effect for the snake. The striped effect would be created by alternating the two different colors during the Viking knit tube making process. This effect could also be created using metallic paints.

To begin, cut off a small pea-sized piece of the polymer clay and work it until it is smooth and squeezes easily. Work it into a triangle shape. Smooth and round out all the edges with your fingers, slightly elongating one angle of the wedge, until it resembles the shape of a snake head. Take a ball point pen and make small indentations where the eyes of a snake would be. Press one seed bead into each of these holes, using the ball point again, if necessary to make them stick. Holding it by the sides, gently slide this triangle onto the open end of the coiled Viking knit wire.

If you purchased copper wire for a tongue, cut a 1 inch piece of the wire. Gently curl the ends slightly and then bend the full length in half. Twist the folded piece until only about 1/8 inch of the curled ends remains separated. Slide the twisted end into the small end of the head.

Bake according to the polymer clay package instructions.

Start with the tapered end of the Viking knit wire and with the tip pointed up, begin coiling the tube of wire around itself to simulate a snake, ending with the head also pointing up. Solder or glue this coiled snake into place on the cufflink.

If you purchased metallic paints, use a fine brush to create a stripe pattern or even a series of diamond shapes all along the back of the snake. You can also use the metallic paints to create pupils on the eye beads.