Sculpey Soufflé™ Teardrop Glitter 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:

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

Roll Sea Glass to a sheet and little less than 1/8” thick or to the second thickest setting on your pasta machine if you are using one. Make sure the size of the sheet will accommodate two of the Embossed Teardrop Cutter shapes.

Next, mount the clay sheet to your work surface by rolling it down with the Roller. Here my background has changed to yellow because this is the color of my counter which I will keep the clay mounted to for a couple of steps.

Using your fingertip and a swirling motion, coat the top surface of the clay with the glitter in a single layer. Excess glitter will easily wipe away that isn’t stuck to the clay surface making it easy to produce a single thin layer.

Cut out two of the Embossed Teardrop shapes. The glitter will act as a release for the cutter from the clay. If the tiny center cut out does not release on its own you can pick it out of the center of the clay shape with the Needle Tool.

Here are the shapes fully glittered and removed from the sheet.

I used little flat pieces of the scrap clay to act as a support for the ends of the metal bars. Impress the end of the metal bar that will later be glued to the clay piece with gentle pressure. This should create a mark where the metal bars will later be glued to the clay.

You can bake the clay pieces with or without the metal bars once the impression is made to show you where to later glue the bars in.

Bake following the baking instructions for Sculpey Soufflé™.

Allow the pieces to cool completely before handling.

Here is the layout for the earrings assembly.

Glue the metal bars permanently to the clay pieces using instant drying glue or silicone glue and allow to set completely.

Use flat nose pliers to open and close jump rings connecting the metal bars to the ball studs.