Sculpey III® Turquoise Glitter Teardrop Earrings

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 15 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.

Condition one half block of Pearl clay and roll out a sheet on the second from widest setting which is at least 4” wide and 3” tall. Lay the sheet of clay onto the work surface.

Condition one half block of Turquoise Glitter clay and roll out a sheet which is at least 3” wide and 1” tall. Use the wavy blade to trim across the top long edge of the sheet of clay.

Condition one half block of Gold clay and roll out a sheet which is at least 3” wide and 1” tall. Use the wavy blade to cut a strip that is 3” wide by about 3/16”-1/4” tall with wavy lines on both edges of the strip of clay.

Condition the remaining half block of Pearl clay and roll out a sheet which is at least 3” wide and 1” tall. Use the wavy blade to trim a little bit across the bottom long edge of the sheet of clay.

Lay the cut strip of Turquoise Glitter clay about half-way up the sheet of pearl clay and smooth into place.

Pick up the wavy edge strip of Gold Clay. Position the waves of one edge on the Gold strip so they insert into the dips of the wavy edge of the Turquoise Glitter clay strip. The two strips should align like a closed zipper.

Add the strip of wavy edge Pearl clay against the Gold strip in the same manner.

Place the 1.75” tear drop cutter onto the assembled sheet of clay so the strip gold is across the middle of the height of the cutter. Cut all the way through the sheet of clay. Remove the cutter and cut a second tear drop in the same manner.

Use the 1.25” tear drop cutter to cut a tear drop out of the center of each of the 1.75” tear drops cut in step 6.

Gather the Gold clay left from when you cut the wavy strip of clay. Roll this clay into a thin sheet of clay and cut two 3/4” tear drops.

Use the toothpick or needle tool to poke holes into the tips of the large tear drops and into the tips and bottom center of the Gold small tear drops. Make sure the holes are large enough to fit the gold jump-rings. Bake all pieces according to the directions above and allow the pieces to cool.

Use the pliers to open all six jump-rings. Note: Open the jump-rings by twisting opening the gap in a side-to-side motion. Do not open the jump-rings by pulling the cut ends straight away from each other. Opening a jump-ring in this manner distorts the shape and makes it difficult to close.

Add the points of a large tear drop and a small gold tear drop to one of the jump-rings. Use the pliers to close the jump-ring. Repeat this process with the two remaining teardrop pieces.

Slide one of the open jump-rings through the loop on an ear-wire. Close the jump-ring. Pick up another open jump-ring. Slide the jump-ring through the hole in the bottom of the gold tear drop and the closed ring that is attached to the ear-wire. Close the jump-ring. The end result of the earring should be one jump ring connecting the two tear drops and two jump rings between the small tear drop and ear-wire. Repeat these steps to complete the remaining earring assembly.