Sculpey Soufflé™ “Scribbled” 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.

Roll 1/2 of the conditioned Cornflower clay out to about 1/8 inch thickness (on a pasta machine, you can make it a medium setting). I elected to create the center design with this cool mid-century shape. Cut 2 (or 3) of these shapes .

Cut 2 each of the large and middle circles.

Use the needle tool to put the holes in each piece. Make sure to hold the needle tool straight up.

TIP: It helps me to lay the pieces out in the design on a small piece of graphing paper to help line all the holes up.

Bake all the pieces according to the directions above. Allow the pieces to cool.

Once the pieces have baked and cooled, you can start creating your design.

I used the Green and Light Blue marker from the Pastel set of Permapaque fine point markers and the Copper and Silver from the metallic set of the same pens.

I like to create a “makers mark” design with dashed lines. (and it is really easy!) I used this design for the larger circle

I used those same marks and added some simple spirals and coils to the design. Again, I didn’t attempt to match the patterning on the two earring pieces.

I drew simple coils and radiating lines on the smaller circle to integrate the designs on the other two pieces.

Here are my final pieces. These are so colorful and lightweight!

I used the larger PenTouch 2.0 mm Copper pen to edge the sides. Even though you see the front of the design in this photo, I prefer to edge my pieces from the BACK so that if the pen slips slightly it is on the back of the design!

Add your jump rings and ear wires to complete your new earrings!

Sometimes the connecting loop on the ear wire is facing the wrong way for your construction design, as is the case with these earrings. You can turn the loop carefully by grasping the part of the wire that goes in the ear with one pair of pliers and then gently turning that connecting loop at the bottom of the ear wire 90 degrees with another pair of pliers. Now we don’t have to add another jump ring to the top of the design to accommodate the ear wire!