Premo Tranquility Pocket Pond

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® 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.
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 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.

To create the bottom of your pond, squeeze a small amount of Sculpey Bakeable Medium Clear onto the bottom of the tin. Place your stones in an even layer and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes or until clear. Keep placing rocks and liquid clay until you have the pond floor configured to your liking. Bake between each layer.

To sculpt your Koi fish (I chose Butterfly Koi), make a teardrop shape, then flatten at the sides in a fish body shape. Add fins, as simple or complex as you wish, by pinching very small pieces of clay flat and pushing them onto the fish sides, tail and back. I made two plain white Koi and one yellow. For the yellow fish, I mixed 3 Premo Accents Translucent to 1 part Premo Zinc Yellow. Bake at 275 for 30 minutes. Cool.

Add black and orange acrylic paint to the white Koi to create spots. Use white under black paint on all three fish for the eyes. Allow paint to dry.

Place fish on top of rocks using liquid clear under each one to hold it in place. Fill around the fish with clear in a thin layer. Bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes or until clear. Repeat with another layer of clear until fish are almost immersed.

Make your lily pads with Spanish Olive by forming an irregular round shape and indenting with your Sculpey Detail tool to form a Pac Man shape. Place a few as desired, setting some aside. Add liquid clay, bake for 10 minutes or until clear. Add the rest of your lily pads and repeat. Your pond is finished! Now let’s make the lid.

Make a thin sheet of Premo Pearl and trim to fit the lid. Mix a bit of Sculpey III Deep Red and Pearl to make a dark, shimmery pink. Roll small snakes of Souffle Cowboy to create Cherry Blossom Tree branches. Bake at 275 for 10 minutes.

Form tiny balls of pink and press onto branches in clusters using the smallest Sculpey Ball Stylus. Bake at 275 for 30 minutes. With light pink acrylic paint, add depth to the cherry blossoms. Let dry. Attach cherry blossom panel to the lid of the box with Superglue.