Clay+Shells=???

[by-the-victrola.livejournal.com]

I have some very pretty beach worn pieces of muscle shell (the insides are all iridescent, sort of like abalone but on a black background instead of pale) and I'd like to make at least one into a pendant-nautical stuff is big this season but I think it'll just be gorgeous anytime.

I was wondering if I could make a clay topper (to avoid drilling through shell in most instances and in one to close the top that's a little too broken) that the jump ring would go through or if baking the clay on the shell might wreck the shell.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Sorry it's text only, grad school kinda takes away any time to craft, but if I'm successful with this project I'll put up pics.