Premo™ Galaxy Crystal Ring Dish

Getting Started:

Please make sure your work area is covered and you are not working on an unprotected surface. We recommend working on the Sculpey® Oven-Safe Work Mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Uncured clay may damage unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Be sure to cover your crafting area appropriately.

Start with clean hands, unwrap and knead clay until soft and smooth, or condition by running clay though a Pasta Machine. We recommend using a designated machine for clay purposes only. When working with multiple colors, clean hands with soap and water or baby wipes (we have found that baby wipes work best) before switching colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces firmly together. Wash hands after use.

Baking:

Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). After you are done creating; for best results bake clay on an oven-proof surface such metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Clay Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 30 minutes per 1/4" (6 mm) thickness according to package directions. Oven safe glass or ceramic surfaces are also acceptable for baking; however please note that the baking times may take longer as the glass or ceramic surfaces take longer to heat up. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME.

Roll 1/4 bar each Opal, Peacock Pearl, and Galaxy Glitter into ropes. Position them side by side and pinch them together so they stick to each other.

Press the ropes, short end first, through the Clay Conditioning Machine on the thickest setting.

Fold the sheet matching like color to like color and press through the machine again. Continue this process until the colors are slightly blended to your liking. Look how the Opal at the top blends into the Peacock Pearl and makes that fantastic glow! Set the Clay Conditioning Machine setting to the second thickest setting and thin the sheet placing the stripes through perpendicular to the rollers.

From the remainder of the unconditioned bar of Galaxy Glitter, cut some crystal shapes with the clay blades. I didn’t even condition the clay. I just laid the bar on its side and cut these out so they would be nice and angular. Make five of the crystal shapes in different heights and thicknesses.

Wrap each crystal shape in the sheet of striped clay. Smooth the seams with your fingers and wrap extra around the bottom. Trim as needed. Pinch the corners so the pieces still look angular.

Here’s a look at my wrapped crystals. I used different areas of my striped sheet so they all look a little unique.

Condition 1/4 bar of each color and some of the left over Galaxy Glitter into a marbled ball.

Flatten the ball into a pancake. Make the surfaces of the pancake smooth and even by pressing on it with a glass plate.

Pinch up the edges of the pancake with your fingertips to make a little saucer shape.

Stand the crystals up in the center of the saucer. Position them at little angles so they kind of appear to be growing out of the saucer.

Using tiny metal tubes, or a needle tool, make little impressions in the saucer and on the sides of the crystals.

Bake the crystal dish following the baking instructions in Step 1. Allow the piece to cool completely. Smear Silver Liquid Sculpey® (LS) into the little impressions that you’ve made so they will stand out from the background. Wipe away excess with a paper towel. Bake again for 20 minutes at 275° F to set the Silver LS.

Paint Sculpey® Glossy Glaze all over the surface of the piece if you want it to shine.

Allow the glaze to dry completely before loading your little crystal formation with your favorite jewelry.