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Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the New Year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The Chinese calendar (the oldest chronological record in history) is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to “catch up” with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-yearcycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year. Chinese New Year is a celebration of family and thanksgiving, and is celebrated in ways rich with tradition.

Supplies:

Polymer clay in “fortune cookie beige” (I used Premo! in Ecru)

Liquid polymer clay

Circle template or cookie cutter

1 head pin

Paint brush for liquid polymer clay

Thin rectangular slip of paper slightly longer than the diameter of your circle template

Wax paper or other disposable clay dedicated work surface

Clay rolling and cutting tools

Clay dedicated toaster oven or regular convention oven for curing clay

Wire cutters

Non-yellowing acrylic sealer

Beads with an Asian design to compliment the “Chinese New Year” theme (mine are wooden beads from Wal-Mart…a great deal!)

Filler beads (I used silver beads, hoops, and dangles)

1 split jump ring

Monofiliment or Nylon coated steel (Tiger Tail) for stringing.

Toggle or Magnetic clasp (for ease of closure one-handed!)

Two crimps

Crimping pliers or Needle Nose pliers

Condition a small piece of clay until it is soft and pliable. Roll it out using a clay-dedicated roller or clay–dedicated hand crank pasta machine on a thicker setting. Using a circle template or clay dedicated circle cutter such as an old biscuit cutter or small jar lid, cut a small circle out of the polymer clay.

Cut a thin rectangle of plain white paper or card stock slightly longer in diameter than the circle of clay. Lay it across the middle of the circle then bend the top of the circle over towards the bottom, forming a half-circle. At the bottom of the half circle (the straight-edged folded-over end) bend the two sides in towards each other forming a Fortune Cookie shape.

Paint the ends of the paper “fortune” that are sticking out the sides of the “cookie” with liquid polymer clay.

Push the head pin through the bottom of the cookie (the folded ends) and up through the top (the round part).

Bake according to clay manufacturer’s directions.

Once clay is cured and cooled, snip the extra wire off the top of the head pin, leaving just enough to form a loop with a pair of needle nose or round nose pliers. Form the loop, and then seal the whole piece with a non-yellowing acrylic sealer such as Future Floor Finish.

Create your bracelet using beads complimentary to the Chinese New Year theme. Red colors and Asian designs will look fabulous. At each end of the bracelet, string once crimp and one end of the clasp. Draw your beading filament back through the crimp again and using crimping pliers or needle-nosed pliers to smash it flat to hold the filament in place. You can add a little dollop of clear drying jewel glue over the crimp for extra protection.

Alternatively, you can use a stretchy bead cord, and simply tie the ends together. Make sure you use a little glue on the knot to hold it in place. You can slip the knot inside one of the larger beads so it isn’t visible when being worn.

Add a jump ring to the loop at the top of your fortune cookie and attach the jump ring to one end of the bracelet. You could also make several fortune cookies and space them intermediately all over the bracelet as charm dangles!