This multi technique bracelet in Pinks and Purples will create oohs and aahs from all who see it.
Do not use unbaked clay on unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Start with clean hands and work surface area. Good work surfaces include the Sculpey Clay Mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. 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 15 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 dedicated pasta machine several passes on the widest setting. Fold the clay in half after each pass and insert the fold side into the rollers first.
Choose the base color for your bead. Cut off a ½"x½" square from the bar of clay. Condition.
Divide conditioned clay into three equal pieces. Form pieces into desired bead shapes -- balls, square, etc. Using the smallest size Etch 'N Pearl tool, pierce a hole through the bead with the narrow end of tool. Gently twist the tool through the bead while moving the bead up to the wide end of tool. The bead will remain on the tool while you embellish.
Follow the instructions below for “Completing Your Bead” if you choose not to embellish your bead.
Follow the instructions for “Creating a Basic Bead” using Premo! Fuchsia.
Once you have a completed bead, use 3/16" circle cutter to stamp five large circles around your bead.
Use a toothpick to make small dot impressions between large circles.
Follow the instructions below for “Completing Your Bead.”
Bake according to the “Baking Instructions” below and allow bead to cool.
Once your bead is cool, apply acrylic black paint to the circle imprints. While the paint is wet, wipe off any excess paint with a paper towel. Be sure to leave paint in the stamped areas. You may need to apply two coats to achieve the shade you want in the stamped areas.
Follow the instructions for “Creating a Basic Bead” using Premo! Pearl.
With the Clay Conditioning Machine set on the thickest setting, use a ½ bar of Premo! Pearl, Fuschia, and Purple Pearl to roll out a sheet each color. (Always condition your clay, starting with the lightest color to darkest to avoid color transfer.)
Make a stack with the three colors. Roll the stack through the pasta machine on the thickest setting.
Cut the stack in half and stack it again. Roll the stack through the pasta machine on the thickest setting.
Lightly spray a texture sheet or stamp of your choice with water. Press the texture firmly into the top layer of clay. Use the acrylic roll to roll over the back of the texture sheet or stamp to ensure a deep impression. Carefully remove the texture sheet/stamp.
Roll out a small sheet of Premo! Pearl. Cut the sheet to approx. 3" x 1" and set aside.
Use the Super Slicer flexible blade to cut into the textured stack. Cut off a sheet just below the impression. Make sure not to cut it too thick, but just thick enough to have a patterned sheet. Continue cutting until you have several sheets that you like. Set these aside.
Place the sheets of pattern onto your pearl strip; arrange them in a way that creates a nice pattern. Cover the pearl strip completely. Use the acrylic roller to smooth any creases. Cut the strip to ½" width and cover your bead. Trim the excess clay and smooth any seams from the top and on the sides.
Follow the instructions below for “Completing Your Bead.” Bake according to the “Baking Instructions” below and allow bead to cool.
Follow the instructions for “Creating a Basic Bead” using a base color of your choice.
Use a cane you already have or create one from the following link, http://www.sculpey.com/how-tos/techniques/simple-canes.
Once you have your cane, you’ll want to reduce it down so your slices will fit on your basic bead. Reduce your cane by rolling it into a narrow log. For consistency, start rolling from the center out to the ends.
Cut thin slices from the cane and add them to your bead. Smooth edges.
Follow the instructions below for “Completing Your Bead.” Bake according to the “Baking Instructions” below and allow bead to cool.
Follow the instructions for “Creating a Basic Bead” using a base color of your choice.
Follow the instructions below for “Completing Your Bead.” Bake according to the “Baking Instructions” below and allow bead to cool.
Once the bead is cool, use a craft knife to begin carving. Hold the bead firmly between your thumb, index and middle finger. You should take caution and protect your fingers by wearing a glove or placing adhesive bandages on them. With the edge of the Super Slicer rigid blade facing away from you, make small, random slices on the surface of the bead. Each slice should remove a very thin, superficial portion of the surface. Don’t worry about making the slices evenly sized or in any sort of pattern. Be sure to make the slices over the entire surface area of the bead.
To bring out the facets of the bead you can add silver acrylic paint to it. Place a small amount of silver acrylic paint onto a paintbrush. Brush it onto a paper towel to remove as much paint as possible -- the embellishment of the facets requires an extremely dry brush technique. The brush will be ready to paint the bead facets when it seems no paint is left on the brush. Hold the bead and go over the entire surface with the brush using a light, quick dusting motion. This will bring out the lines of the facets. Let the bead dry completely before using or handling excessively. If you find you have applied too much paint, those areas can be re-sliced when the paint is dry and gone over again with the dry brush.
Mix together 1/8 block of Premo! Navy and a pinch of Premo! White.
Using the acrylic roller flatten the clay onto your work surface. Use a paint brush to dust the clay with bronze Pearl Ex powder. Mix the powder into the clay by kneading it well.
Once the powder and clay is thoroughly mixed, roll it out again with the acrylic roller. Place a piece of gold leaf onto the clay and gently mix it in. Make sure not to over-mix. You still want the gold leaf to show though.
Follow the instructions for “Creating a Basic Bead.” Now follow the instructions below for “Completing Your Bead.” Bake accordingh to the "Baking Instructions" below.
Follow the instructions for “Creating a Basic Bead” with Premo! Pearl.
Using the extruder and the 1mm disk, extrude the colors you want to use for your striped bead. Set the extruded colors aside on a piece of paper, making sure they don’t stick together.
Using the Clay Conditionin g Machine set on a #7, roll out a sheet of Premo! Pearl approx. 3" x 1". Carefully place the extruded colors on the sheet of pearl. The colored stripes should be placed closely together. Once placed in the order you want, trim the colored stripes to fit the sheet. You should not see any pearl showing through.
Use the acrylic roller to smooth the stripes. Cut the strip to ½" width and cover your bead. Trim the excess clay and smooth any seams from the top and on the sides.
Follow the instructions below for “Completing Your Bead.” Bake according to the “Baking Instructions” below and allow bead to cool.
Mix together ¼ block of Premo! Translucent and a pinch of Premo! Fuchsia.
Once the clay is thoroughly mixed, add in the iridescent flakes. Add in enough so you can see the flakes when you roll your clay into a bead.
Follow the instructions for “Creating a Basic Bead.” Then follow the instructions below for “Completing Your Bead.” Bake according to the “Baking Instructions” below and allow bead to cool.
When your bead is fully embellished place on the Etch N Pearl. Slide the bead cores, rounded sides out, onto both ends of the Etch 'N Pearl and insert into bead. Reshape as necessary and remove your bead. If there is excess clay in the center, once bead cores are in place, use the small concave end of the Etch 'N Pearl tool to push it out.
While baking, avoid flat spots on your beads by placing them on a mound of polyester fiberfill or stringing them back onto your Etch 'N Pearl. You can prop the Etch 'N Pearl up by placing a ball of foil under each end. Bake on an oven-proof glass or metal surface at 275°F for 30 minutes per ¼" thickness. Do not use microwave oven. Do not exceed baking temperature or recommended baking time. All baking should be completed by an adult. Wash hands after use.
Decide the length you want your bracelet to be. Double your cord and string your beads with one spacer bead between them. Once all the beads are strung, begin to a make a macramé square knot slide.
To make the slide, you want to macramé all four cords of the bracelet together; the square knot will hold them tightly together and allow the cord to adjust to fit your wrist. I like to tape the cord so it stays in place while I’m knotting it together.
Once the slide is made, finish the ends with small beads. Mix a small amount of Premo! Translucent and Fuchsia. Roll beads by making small balls. With the tip of the Etch 'N Pearl, make an indent large enough for your cords to fit into. Bake the beads according to the Baking Instructions. Place a dab of fast drying glue on the ends of the cords and let dry while the beads are baking. After your beads have cooled, trim the ends of the cord into a v shape so that they fit into the holes of the beads. Glue the cords again and place them into the bead holes.
