Sculpey III® Cactus Blossom 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.

Condition one bar from the block of Emerald clay and roll it into a slab on the thickest setting of your clay machine.

Roll a small amount of Jewelry gold clay and use a needle tool to scrape off tiny gold flecks.

Scatter the gold flecks randomly across the green slab, leaving space between each one.

Use an acrylic roller to flatten the flecks, so they fully adhere to the Emerald clay.

Using the medium teardrop-shaped template, cut out two teardrop shapes.
Remove the excess clay and smooth the edges with your fingers, gently rounding
the tops to form cactus pad shapes.

Add short vertical lines from the top to the bottom of each cutout to mimic cactus spines with a needle tool.

Use the needle tool to poke one hole at the top center of each cactus pad and four holes along the rounded bottom edge.

Condition small amounts of Magenta, Hibiscus, Coral, and Violet Glitter clay, rolling each color into a small slab. Use the second smallest oval template to cut two ovals from each color. Remove excess clay and smooth the edges with your fingers.

Bake/cure according to the directions in Step 1 above.

Attach each oval with jewelry pliers to the holes at the bottom of the
cactus pads using jump rings, closing the rings securely.

Add an earring hoop through the top hole of each cactus pad.

Here is a look at the completed earrings!