Preheat oven to 275 °F. Test temperature with oven thermometer for perfectly cured clay. Condition all clay by kneading until it’s soft and smooth or running it through the Clay Conditioning Machine for several passes on the widest setting. Fold the clay in half after each pass and insert the fold side into the rollers first.

Roll the Cadmium Yellow Hue clay into a ball, and then slightly flatten the ball into a cylinder about 2 inches long.

Wrap the cylinder with a ¼ inch layer of Orange clay (#1 setting on Clay Conditioning Machine). Roll cylinder slightly to seal it.

Reduce the cylinder to about 3/8-5/8" diameter and cut into 5 equal pieces at 1-1/2-2 inches long. NOTE: This is done by rolling the cylinder the applying pressure with the hands from the center out. The goal is to keep the cylinder the same diameter from end to end without bulges. Go slowly, and as the clay warms it moves smoothly and evenly.

Lay the 5 pieces together so that they touch each other and then stand the new group on end. You should now have a small "fence" of clay rods.

Gently wrap this line of rods into a circle and visually measure the diameter of the open center.

Roll a cylinder of the Orange clay to fit this center and place it in the center of the group. Close the "petals" around the center and press lightly to seal.

Now, roll a cylinder of the Cobalt Blue Hue clay to about 1/3 inch diameter and pinch up the top to form a long triangle of blue clay.

Place a strip of this Cobalt Blue Hue triangle between each "petal" taking care to keep the point between the petals.

Flatten the remaining Cobalt Blue Hue clay into a thin even sheet (1/8 " in diameter or #4 on Clay Conditioning Machine). Wrap around the outside of the clay "cane". Trim the edges and roll slightly to smooth seam.

Press again gently to seal. Then squeeze from the middle of the assembled cane to each end. This should reduce the diameter of the cane and remove any air pockets which could cause distortion.

Lay the cane on your work surface and roll to reduce to the diameter you wish your beads.

Using the Super Slicer, slice your cane in ¼" to ½" slices to form your flat beads.

Drill holes in your beads with the Needle Tool and bake according to directions.

Roll your flower cane to a smaller diameter of about 3/8".

Roll a ball of scrap clay 1" in diameter.

Make thin slices of the cane and lay them on the surface of the scrap clay ball so that they cover the surface.

Cup your hands and gently roll the bead to blend the edges of the canes.

Stop and check your work from time to time to see if the cane slice edges have blended.

Drill your hole in your finished "bobble".

Bake at 275 °F for 20 minutes per ¼" of thickness.

Assemble your flower cane and slice in 3/8" slices.

Using the Needle Tool, pierce 2 holes in the center of the flower, probably right on the edges of the Orange center.

It's best to angle the Needle Tool slightly from the outside edges to add strength to your button.

Bake as directed and sew to your garment.

Always make at least two more of your buttons than you need - in case you lose a few while enjoying your embellished garment.

NOTE: You can make the buttons out of the assembled flower WITHOUT the blue background. Press the assembled flower together gently, and carefully (WITH YOUR FINGERS) pull slightly to reduce.

Let the cane rest before cutting your buttons to keep the bottom petals from flattening when you cut the buttons. Or, place the cane in the freezer for 5 minutes.

Cut your buttons and place your thread holes as directed above.

Bake as directed.