Sculpey Soufflé™ Wild Orchid Flower Trinket Box

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 one snake each of all four of your colors that are approximately 1/2” thick by 6” long.

Press the four snakes together and twist. Fold in half, roll, and twist again. Repeat this process a few more times to marble the clay colors together.

Roll into a ball and flatten to fit into your clay machine. Run it through on the #2 setting.

Measure the diameter of your wooden trinket box with your tape measure. Measure the height of the box as well. Cut out a strip of clay the proper dimensions.

Wrap the strip of clay around the box. Trim away excess clay. Make sure to push out any air bubbles from the center out. Marry the seams together with your fingertip.

Roll up the excess clay into a ball, flatten and run it through the clay machine on the #2 setting again. Set the round wooden lid down on top of this sheet of clay. Cut out a circle slightly larger than the lid so that you can cover the edges.

Place the circle of clay on top of the lid of the box and press out any air bubbles from the center out. Smooth the clay over the edges. Trim away all excess clay with your clay knife.

Bake the box according to directions. Allow to cool completely.

*optional: paint the inside of your box and under the lid with acrylic paint. Americana Royal Fuchsia was used here.

Combine 1/8 of a block of White Souffle with 1/4 of a block of Wild Orchid. Blend the colors together to make a medium shade of Wild Orchid. Roll into a ball.

Combine 1/4 of a block of White Souffle with 1/4 block of Wild Orchid. Blend the colors together to make a light shade of Wild Orchid, almost Pink. Roll into a ball.

Roll an equal sized ball of Wild Orchid. (approximately 1 to 2” in size)

Run each of the three graduated shades through your clay machine on the #2 setting.

Using your graduated teardrop/petal shaped cutters, cut out the following:
• 10 - 1 1/4” petal shapes from the Wild Orchid
• 10 - 1 1/2” petal shapes from the Medium shade of Wild Orchid
• 5 – 1 3/4” petal shapes from the Light Shade (Pink) of Wild Orchid
• 6 – 2” petal shapes from the Light Shade

Now use your Sculpey comb tool and run the comb down each petal vertically.

Roll a snake of Royalty clay that is approximately 1/2” by 3” long. Round one end of the snake as this will be the center for your flower. You will be building the flower around this snake of clay.

Roll a very small snake of Premo! White Gold Glitter that is approx.. 1/4” by 2”. Run this snake through your clay machine on the #2 setting. Use your clay knife to cut little fringe like cuts along the snake. Wrap the fringed piece around the rounded end of the Royalty center close to the top. Trim away excess. Flare out the little fringe ends with your fingers. Next you will begin adding petals.

Start with the smallest and darkest color petals first. Press on 4 small Wild Orchid petals around your fringed center. (rounded ends up) Flare the petals out a bit. Press on 5 more small petals beneath the first all the way around. Flare these petals.

Next comes the medium shade petals. Press 5 more petals onto your flower beneath the previous.

Continue to build your flower in this way gradually building the flower from the smallest, darkest petals to the largest, lightest petals.

Make sure you press firmly as you go along using the Royalty snake to build upon almost like a stem.

Once all petals are attached you can gently flare and continue to shape the petals until you are pleased with the result.

Cut away the excess snake of Royalty now.

Carefully place your flower onto your baking tile or sheet and bake according to the directions. Allow to cool completely.

Attach your flower to the top of your clay covered trinket box with Super Glue. All the glue to dry completely.