I went to buy some basic rings from a crafts'store. They would've cost way too much. Only two simple rings were 4,5 euros! So, I had a plan B. I bought some really strong metal yarn (or sticks, you could say). I bought also some soft foam that could be used with the sword. Any way, I bought the metal sticks, went home, ate something and started with the rings. I couldn't believe myself doing the rings this way too... But apparently, it works. I use this white modelling clay with almost everything. Anything. Except with clothes.
When the rings are ready, I'll add some photos of them. I've realised that they are actually very important for Jack. You know how he swings his fingers smoothly? It wouldn't look really anything without the rings once he got them. 'Got them' is the right expression. You know the golden simple ring around his left forefinger? He got it from Tia Dalma. Stole it, really.
Modelling clay, is that the type that hardens in air and isn't baked? If so, have you ever used polymer clay? (= brands such as Fimo, Sculpey and Cernit.) You make what you want out of it and put it in a oven and TADAA! You've got yoursef pendants/jewelry/anything that not only looks realistic, but are also very durable. You can use acrylic colours to paint and if you want, can also give it a light coating with varnish.
VastaaPoistaI myself use Fimo and Sculpey and I totally love them. You can make small jewelry or beads, or shoulder pauldrons or pretty much anything that fits in to oven. Sinelli and Hobbypoint sell them as far as I know and one little package lasts for a long time. (From Hobbypoint you also can find ringbases, so you don't need to go messing with metal yarn. Also, look around in second hand stores, they usually sell cheap rings that can be easily changed in to Sparrow's jewelry.)
How are you going to make the sword?
I have used Cernit in certain events, but some stuff like this I prefer to construct from this clay I have been using. Things that I really like about this stuff is that it's easily modelled and the surface is not too plastic like. The only minus I have noticed is the durability. Acrylic colors are also a big love to me. Now that your talking about arcylics and varnish, do you know which kind of varnish is okay with acrylics?
VastaaPoistaYeah, I've tried Cernit and noticed how it tends to be a lot more harder than, for example, Fimo. The latter is softer and easier to work with, so I tend to recommend it to everyone. The surface has never looked like plastic either.
VastaaPoistaAs for varnish, I myself use Eberhard Faber's gloss lacquer (http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/shop/products/fimo/varnish_lacquer.jpg) and it works fine on polymer clay (and I think it might work for any other kind of clay too). Might wanna check out your local arts&crafts-stores for what they got to offer.