Sculpey Soufflé™ Layered Butterfly 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 (also called Curing):

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 as metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Oven Safe Work Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 30 minutes per ¼" (6
mm) of 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.

Sheet 1/4 bar each color through the pasta machine on the thickest setting.

Stack the colors as shown.

Roll the top with the Acrylic Clay Roller to seal colors together.

Press through the pasta machine on the widest/thickest setting.

Divide the stack into half as shown with a Clay Blade.

Stack with the straight sides matching.

Divide in half with a Clay Blade.

Stack again. Roll to seal and flatten to 1/4” total.

Make sure the slab is large enough to accommodate two of the largest wings.

Impress the largest wings into the clay flipping the cutter for the second wing so that they are mirror imaged.

(NOTE: From here on the background color of my work surface has changed to yellow. That is because I burnished the clay down to my countertop so that it will not slip as I work on it.)

Next we will make patterns in each wing that are mirror imaged.

Use the 6 mm Ball Tool to push in deep holes.

Use the 2 mm Ball Tool to push in deep holes.

Use the back of the Clay Blade to add lines.

Add more lines as shown.

Continue to add more lines as shown in photo.

Roll a rope of Royalty the same diameter as the largest holes.

Cut off Royalty pieces and make a plug for each of the largest holes. Push the plugs into the holes.

Add more small hole details as shown.

Add more holes with the 6 mm and 2 mm Ball Tools.

Fill all larger holes with Royalty plugs.

Push the clay from all sides with hands to help it bond together.

Sheet a 1/4 bar of Robins Egg to a sheet at the #5 thickest setting. Lay it beside the slab.

After pushing the sides inward, make sure the clay is still the correct size for the largest cutter. If the clay slab is too small you can lightly roll it to make it larger.

Now we will make slices from the slab parallel with the work surface. Use a flexible blade to slice a thin layer away from the slab.

Flip the slice over (revealing the pattern) and place it on the thin sheet.

Decide which part of the slab will be medium size wings. Take another slice off of the slab and trim away the unnecessary part for the medium size wings. Place the slice on the thin sheet.

Decide which part of the slab will be small size wings. Take another slice off of the slab and trim away the unnecessary part for the small size wings.

Place the slice on the thin sheet. Roll with the Clay Roller to make sure the slices are sealed down.

Cut a left wing for each size out of the patterns. Then flip the wings over and cut a mirror image shape for each size

Texture each wing with the Needle Tool in the palm of your hand to give the wings some movement.

Here’s a look at the large wings as they are textured.

Texture the medium and small wings as well.

Curl the edges of the wings with fingertips (the left is curled and the right is not.)

Stack the wings as shown and pinch together to attach at the center point. Poke holes in the large spots at the top with the Blunt Point Tool.

Bake/cure following the baking instructions for Sculpey Soufflé™.
Allow to cool completely before handling.

Here is the layout for the earrings.

Use flat nose pliers to open and close the jump rings connecting as shown.