premo! Faux Turquoise Cabochon Ring

Getting StartedPolymer clay may stain. CLAY MAY DAMAGE UNPROTECTED FURNITURE OR FINISHED SURFACES. DO NOT USE polymer clay on unprotected surfaces. We recommend working on the Sculpey clay mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Start with clean hands and work surface area. Knead clay until soft and smooth. For best results, clean your hands in between colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces together firmly. Bake on oven-proof glass or metal surface at 275°F (130 °C) for 30 minutes per ¼" (6 mm) thickness. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME. Wash hands after use. Baking should be completed by an adult.Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). Test temperature with oven thermometer for perfectly cured clay. For best results, condition all clay by running it through the Clay Conditioning Machine for several passes on the widest setting. Fold the clay in half after each pass and insert the fold side into the rollers first.

Roll Turquoise clay through the Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine on the #1 (widest) setting. Cut half of the sheet of clay and wipe the surface of the clay with the Black alcohol ink, using a cotton ball to apply it (NOTE: gloves are recommended for this, since the ink can stain your fingers). Set the sheet of clay aside to dry thoroughly.

Mix the remaining Turquoise clay with an equal portion of White clay to create a light Turquoise color. Use the Sculpey Clay Conditioning machine to help blend the colors by repeatedly rolling the clay through on the widest setting. NOTE: The color does NOT have to be totally blended.

Roll the other colors through the Sculpey Clay Conditioning machine on the #1 setting as well. Cut matchstick pieces of each color (the lengths do not have to match!) Stack and mix them together, with the Turquoise colors (both the mixed Light Turquoise and the Turquoise with the Black ink on it) as the majority of the colors, followed by the Peacock strips and a couple of the Bronze strips. (NOTE: you can change the amount of each color added according to your own taste!)

Twist the stack of clay strips together as tightly as possible.

Pinch or cut this twisted clay in half and roll it into a ball. Place the ball on your work surface and roll it into a short cylinder. Grasp both ends of the cylinder and twist. This will tighten the swirls of colors again. (I call this the "confused caterpillar stage")

Roll the twisted cylinder into a ball (it should be about one inch in diameter). The colors should be nicely swirled and the black ink should be spreading across sections of the clay. You can repeat steps 6 and 7 until you are satisfied with the swirl.

Cut the ball in half and press half of the clay into the medium triangle mold. Press the clay firmly into the mold, spreading it to cover the entire mold. Carefully slide the Sculpey Super Slicer blade across the surface of the mold to remove the excess clay. You can bake the clay right in the mold!

To make a bezel, cut a triangle of Silver clay larger than the bezel size. Place this over the selected bezel mold and fold the excess clay back onto the mold area as shown. Press the clay FIRMLY into the mold.

CAREFULLY, slice off the excess clay. Start the slice from the middle of the mold and slice out to the end. Repeat for the other side. This method best prevents distortion of the molded clay. You can bake the clay right in the mold to ensure a good fit for your cabochon.

Allow the clay pieces to cool completely. Glue the baked cabochon into the baked bezel. Glue to the ring finding and allow the glue to dry completely before wearing.