Sculpey Premo™ Champagne Pearl Skinner Blended Earrings

Step 1

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 (also called Curing):

Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). After you are done creating; for best results bake/cure 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/curing; however please note that the baking/curing 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.

Step 2

On a medium thickness setting on the clay conditioning machine, create a right-angle triangle for each color that is about 2 inches wide at base and 4 or 5 inches in length. Put the triangles together as shown to create a rectangle.

Step 3

Fold the rectangle as shown, matching up the ends of the rectangle. The folded edge will go against the rollers of the clay conditioning machine and one edge against the left edge of the rollers.

Roll the sheet through the machine on the same setting on the machine.

Step 4

Fold the sheet in the same manner, matching the edges and repeat this process several times. Always folding the short edge to short edge.

Step 5

You can see how the colors are starting to smoothly blend. A couple more rolls and this blend will be complete!

Step 6

Once you are satisfied with your blend, use the largest of the oval cutters to cut out two ovals.

Take care to cut them from the same area of the blend!

Step 7

I prefer to lay my earrings out on graphing paper to make sure that I cut the same areas of each oval using the small oval cutter from the Mini Cutters-Geometric.

Artist Tip: Not only do I use the graphing paper, but I stand up to make sure I’ve centered and then press the cutter while standing.

Step 8

This is my favorite way to create the post top of the earring.

I cut a cardboard box flap into 3 small pieces and glue just the corners together. Then I punch holes through all the layers using a large needle tool, like an Etch n’ Pearl.

Roll a small amount of each of the original colors out on a medium thin setting. Use the smallest cutter in the Sculpey Round Cutter set (3/4 inch) to cut out the background circle.

Use the small circle cutter in the Sculpey Mini Geometric set to cut out the small top circle of out of the small, thinner Sculpey Soufflé™ Guava sheet.

Press the post through the larger circle (I slightly off-center towards the top to make room for the assembly hole).

Add a small drop of Sculpey Oven Bake Adhesive (or other Liquid Sculpey) to the top of the post and gently press the smaller circle in place.

Repeat for the other post.

Step 9

Use your needle tool to place the holes for assembly and then bake the clay according to the directions in Step 1 above.

Step 10

After the clay has baked and cooled, add a thin layer of Sculpey Gloss Glaze to heighten the pearly glow of the blended colors.

Step 11

Once the glaze is dry, just add your silver-toned jump rings!