Sculpey Premo™ “Pantone Color of the Year” Dangle 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/cure 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/curing; however please note
that the baking/curing 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 out the clay colors on a wide setting and use the circle cutter to cut out 1
portion of Pomegranate, 1 portion of White and 2 portions of Green. Mix the
colors thoroughly. (Note if you are adding Pearl, use only about half the
White).

Use your selected texture on the clay sheet- you may need to lightly spray the texture to keep it from sticking to the clay sheet. Use a slightly wider sheet of clay than you wish for the earrings since the texture will thin the sheet slightly.  NOTE: this shelf liner I use for texture will easily go through the pasta machine, so I sheeted the clay on a wider setting.

Once your sheet is textured, use your selected cutter for the bottom of the earring to cut out 2 shapes.

I like to press the cutter firmly into the clay then flip it over and use my clay blade to gently scrape/remove the remaining clay from the edge of the cutter.  This saves a lot of cleanup time!

Carefully set aside your cut out pieces and work on the top terrazzo pieces now. Sheet out a small portion of your selected colors for the faux terrazzo top pieces and
cut them into matchsticks.

Move the clay onto a small sheet of patty paper or plain paper and chop, chop the
pieces.

Once you have the pieces chopped to your preference, cover the top with another
sheet of patty paper or plain paper.

SMASH AWAY!(I always tell my students that this is their arm/ab workout).You can lift the paper to press the loose bits at the edges back into the patty.

Check your progress and when you are satisfied with the terrazzo and the thickness of the patty (it should be pressed to be close to the thickness of the bottom arch section).

Use your selected cutter to cut out the two pieces. NOTE: If you are using a directional cutter like I am, cut the first piece then gently flip the patty over and cut the second piece.

When you cut and flip like I described above, you generally will get one shape with
a sharp edge (second cut) and one piece with a gently rounding. I put a piece
of patty paper over the sharp edged shape and gently rub with my finger to
round those edges to match! This photo shows you the difference in the edges before I round the edges on the left piece.

I prefer to lay out my pieces, along with my selected hardware to plan where to place my holes. Use a large needle tool to make your holes before baking or if you prefer, use a hand drill to place the holes after baking (my preferred method).

Here is a look at the completed earrings!