Sculpey III® and Original Sculpey® Mosaic Feather Decor

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 15 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.

The first step will be to create a marbled sheet of Sculpey III® that we will bake ahead of time. After it is baked and cooled, it can be cut into tiny mosaic tiles with scissors and applied to the fresh Original Sculpey® feather design.

Roll the bundle on the work surface to smooth the sides and to help the colors bond together forming a thick rod.

Twist and roll the rod on the work surface to create a striped rope.

Fold the rope in half and then in half again.

Twist and roll the rope to create more stripes.

Fold in half and then in half again.

Roll into a thick log on the work surface. Apply pressure to each end of the log as you roll it with your hands to keep it short and thick.

Flatten the log with the Roller to a very thin sheet - about 1/16” thick.

Bake the sheet following the baking instructions for Sculpey III®.

While the marbled sheet is baking, work on shaping the feather. Use the Roller to flatten 1/4 of the bar of Original Sculpey® to a sheet about 1/4” thick. Use the Flexible Blade to cut a rough feather shape.

If you want, you can cut out a feather shape from paper and use it as a template to cut around for the finished feather shape. Or you can free hand a feather shape with your Blade.

Use the Needle Tool to score a mid-line down the center of the feather.

Roll a very thin rope of Navy Pearl and taper one end to a point. Lay this piece on top of the mid-line for the quill. Apply light pressure to the Navy clay so that it sticks to the base of White clay.

Make sure the mosaic marbled sheet is cool before proceeding with the next steps.

Use scissors to begin by cutting a straight edge through the marbled sheet.

Cut a strip of the marbled clay wide enough to cover one side of the feather.

Use the scissors to cut the piece of clay into little strips.
These strips do not need to be even. In fact, if they are more random in size and shape, the mosaic will look more organic.

Begin laying the little strips on top of the White clay near the mid-line. Just position them lightly for now. Trim them to fit the size of the feather as you add more pieces.

Continue adding the tiles to the feather shape.

Cut more clay with scissors as needed to continue filling up the feather.

Here’s a look at my feather with the tiles in position.

Use the blunt end of the 5-in-1 tool to help the tiles seat down into the clay.

You can also use the side of the Needle Tool to push the tiles down into the clay until they are level with the surface.

Use the Knife Tool to finish cutting the outside edge of the White clay to make the feather shape.

Smooth the cut edges with your fingertips.

Bake following the baking instructions for Original Sculpey®.
Allow to cool completely before handling.