Sometimes, pendants flip over. That is true no matter what sort of bail one uses.

When you display your work, potential customers usually pick up a pendant and flip it over, looking at the back.

What to do?  The obvious answer — make the back of the pendant interesting also.

I started off with an Alaskan style wolf pendant, called ‘Beneath the Northern Lights’. First, I cut out the wolf shape from 0.75mm thick silver clay. I decided to leave the eye and the decorative space in the middle blank for now. Using the same methods I have previously used to make Alaskan-inspired work, I added various Alaskan-inspired decorations.

I added backing, which I lightly textured (with the backing showing through the opening in the middle). I embossed a tail (cut the tail shape out of stiff cardboard — roll out metal clay 1.5mm thick — place a layer of plastic wrap atop the clay — place the cardboard atop the plastic wrap and push down around the opening in the cardboard, so the clay will protrude in a rounded manner).

I made an eye by simply making a blob of metal clay, and cleaned up the greenware.

Then I turned it over. I obviously needed a bail. But, as mentioned at the start, I chose to make the back more interesting. I added a wolf’s paw-print, made from a mold.

Then the piece was fired, brushed, tumbled, and patinaed (I chose to use LOS, clear ammonia, and salt). The front and back of the finished piece appear below, with a coin for scale.

I encourage you to think the same way I did — customers look at the backs of pendants. There is no reason not to make the back, as well as the front, interesting. I will both help with sales and make your work a bit more artistically interesting.