Sculpey Soufflé™ Faux Granite Striped 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.

Mix equal parts of the Grey Granite with the Igloo clay and equal parts with the Latte clay. I prefer to sheet the conditioned clay out on the widest setting and use the largest circle cutter to cut out a circle of each color and then mix them together. That way I know that I have exactly equal parts. Roll the two mixed colors into snakes that are about 3 inches by 3/8 inch thick and twist them together. Continue to twist until the lines of color start to become vertical. Gently flatten the twisted clay as shown.

Roll the flattened clay, with the stripes in a vertical position, out on the widest setting on the Clay Conditioning Machine. Isn’t that cool how the Granite effect shows through?

Fold the sheet of clay from bottom to top, keep the stripes horizontal. Don’t worry if they don’t perfectly match up. Roll through the Clay Conditioning Machine again, with the strips vertical. There should be a gently blending of the stripes. If you want more of a blend, you can roll through again.

You can also adjust the machine for a thinner setting and roll the flat sheet through to make the clay thinner but taller (if you want more clay “real estate” to work with!) I used the second from largest circle cutter to cut out my two pieces of clay.

Normally, I would just cut each circle in half (across the stripes), but I decided to be a little different and cut just the top off to kind of match the shape/width of the metal finding. I stacked the first slice on the second circle to cut a matching trim.

If you wish to drill your holes before baking, position the selected finding above the clay so that you can line up the hole when you make it. Bake the according to the directions in Step 1 above.

Once the clay has baked and cooled, assemble the metal finding and clay together using the jump ring. Attach the ear wire to the finding. NOTE: Depending on what finding you use, you may need to add another jump ring to the top of the finding to attach the ear wire so that the earrings will hang correctly.

I want to make a pair substituting Souffle Bluestone for the Latte now! How cute with denim those will be?