Premo Sculpey Accents Opal Galaxy & Beyond Ear Rings

Your workspace:
Please make sure your work area is covered and you are not working on an unprotected surface. We recommend working on the Sculpey® Work ‘n Bake Clay 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.
Getting Started:
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 wipe 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 ¼" (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.

Open the package of Opal Premo. The polymer clay is perforated into four equal sections. Using your blade, slice block in half, and then in half again. Slice one of the ¼ slices in half, and one of the ¼ slices in three equal parts. Wrap the whole half and 1/3 of clay in deli paper and use for another project.

Organize your supplies and color coordinate them. The two bigger parts of clay will be for purple and blue glitter and pastel chalk. The two smaller parts of clay will be for pink and black. Iridescent glitter will mix in with all parts of clay. The Premo Accents Opal is translucent and includes fine glitter and cut up iridescent confetti, this is the secret to the Opal Galaxy effect.

Begin with conditioning one of the pieces of opal clay. In this demonstration we will start with mixing in purples and use a bigger part of clay. Roll the clay in a ball, flatten, and roll in a ball again. Use the warmth of yout hand to soften the clay. From a ball, using your thumb, flatten the clay against your tile. Press in the middle with your thumb and create a bowl. Pour some purple glitter in the center. Fold the clay and trap the glitter. It’s ok if glitter spills out, pick it up with your clay. Mix in the glitter by rolling in ball, flattening, tearing in half and rolling in a ball again. Repeat process until glitter is mixed in consistently.

Repeat mixing process using iridescent glitter.

Flatten the ball using your thumb against your tile and press down to create a bowl in the middle. Using your blade, shave the pastel chalk into the center of your clay. Pressing the sharp part of your blade and dragging up and down, powder will fall onto your clay. The powder is going to tint your clay purple. Fold the clay and trap the powder. Roll in a ball, flatten, tear in half and roll in a ball again to mix the powder in. Continue to mix the powder in until the color is consistent throughout. You now have the purple part of your galaxy. Set aside and make the rest of your colors.

Repeat the steps above to create your blue, pink and black colors of your galaxy. For blue, you will use the remaining bigger part of the opal clay. For pink and black, you will use the smaller parts of the opal clay. Working in an assembly line to create the remaining colors makes the process go quicker. It’s ok if bits of different colors get mixed in on your work tile. It all gets pulled into the galaxy. Don’t forget to add your iridescent glitter!

Repeating Step 6, shave the pastel chalks into the coordinating colors to tint the opal clay blue, pink, and then black. Mix powder in until color is consistent throughout. You now have the four colors prepared to create your galaxy. Continue to use the warmth of your hands to soften and keep the clay flexible.

Roll each ball into a log approximately 2 inches. Take your time. If the clay starts to crack, use the warmth of your hands to keep it together.

Stack the logs together, two on top of each other.

Press and twist the logs together. Twisting the clay together is going to give the swirls of your galaxy.

Tear the clay in half. Repeat twisting process and tear in half again. This is going to give you a random swirl effect.

When there is a distinguished swirl effect and desired galaxy is created, you have completed your Opal Galaxy. Finish the clay by forming it into a cube, using your thumbs and flat work surface.

Now you are ready to make some ear rings. The bottle cap findings have jump rings and are silver plated. These can be baked in the oven after placing the clay in.

Using a blade, slice a piece of the galaxy cube and use the warmth of your thumbs to smooth out any drag marks. The drag marks are because of the glitter. Use the acrylic roller to press it down smooth and to a size the will fit nicely in the finding.

Inspect both sides of the galaxy. One side may be more desirable than the other. Using the bottom of the finding, press it down onto the clay and then cut the shape out using Christi Friesen’s Can’t Live Without Tool or an exacto knife.

Rub a bit of liquid clay on the finding before you place the clay in there. This will secure it after baking. Complete both findings and bake per the packages instructions.