Sculpey Premo™ Unique Multiples Scrap 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 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.

In this tutorial we will make three different kinds of scrap sheets. The first will be the green and white marble sheet.

Use the remainder of the White/Gray Granite background (from the Unique Multiples Terrazzo) and scraps of Spanish Olive and Gray Granite that were set aside from previous tutorials. Make little rods of the three colors and bundle them together as shown.

Roll and twist into a long rope.

Fold the rope in half and in half again.

Roll and twist the rope to multiply the stripes.

Roll and twist to smooth the rope. Use hand pressure pushing on each end to make the rope short and thick like a log.

Flatten the log with the Acrylic Clay Roller.

Sheet the piece through the pasta machine to the second thickest setting to create a sheet.

Cut an assortment of sizes and shapes from the marbled sheet so that these can be used in your earring designs.

Move the cut shapes from the work area onto pieces of plastic wrap placed on top of something stiff. The plastic wrap will keep the clay from leaching it’s valuable plasticizer away. The stiff object, like an extra baking tray or a piece of cardboard, will make it easy to pick up and move the shapes around as needed.

Save the scrap that is produced.

Keeping scraps organized along the way will make them easier to use later. Store patterned scraps together on pieces of plastic wrap placed on top of something stiff. The plastic wrap will keep the clay from leaching its valuable plasticizer away. The stiff object, like an extra baking tray or a piece of cardboard, will make it easy to pick up and move the scrap clay around to bring it into or away from the project at hand.

Repeat Steps 2 through 7 to create another scrap sheet. Use remaining Wheige background clay from the Pebble and Floral tutorials, as well as scraps of Beige and Raw Sienna

Sheet the clay through the pasta machine to the second thickest setting.

Cut an assortment of sizes and shapes from the marbled sheet so that these can be used in your earring designs.

Move the cut shapes from the work area onto pieces of plastic wrap placed on top of something stiff. The plastic wrap will keep the clay from leaching its valuable plasticizer away. The stiff object, like an extra baking tray or a piece of cardboard, will make it easy to pick up and move the shapes around as needed.

Save the scrap that is produced.

Keeping scraps organized along the way will make them easier to use later. Store patterned scraps together on pieces of plastic wrap placed on top of something stiff. The plastic wrap will keep the clay from leaching its valuable plasticizer away. The stiff object, like an extra baking tray or a piece of cardboard, will make it easy to pick up and move the scrap clay around to bring it into or away from the project at hand.

Now for the grand finale of scraps! Make little logs out of the remainder of dark colors left over from the Gold Leaf and Texture tutorials - Alizarin Crimson, Spanish Olive, and Raw Sienna. We will cover these with scraps clays to make new logs.

Gather up all the remaining scraps including the pieces with gold leaf in them.

Border the logs that you made in Step 13 with pieces of the scraps. If the scraps don’t completely cover the logs, that is okay because the log color will show through. Once the logs (the three on the right side) are covered, if you still have remaining scraps, you can bundle them up in your hands making their own log.

Roll the logs on the work surface to make them smooth.

Then roll and twist the logs to create stripes.

Keep rolling and twisting to make the stripes finer and finer.

Flatten each log with the Acrylic Clay Roller into a thick sheet.

Press each sheet through the pasta machine to the second thickest setting. Now you have even more beautiful patterns of clay to cut and use in the assembly of earrings.

Cut shapes and audition how you will want them to look in finished designs. Then follow the instructions in the other tutorials for marking, baking, drilling, and assembly.

Here’s a look at how one pair of the Scrap earrings turned out with Terrazzo buttons at the top. These were assembled with jump rings using flat nose pliers. This style will be finished with ear posts glued to the button backs for post earrings.

Now that we’ve made over 40 pairs of earrings in one weekend…. Anybody wanna talk about making matching pendants?!