Sculpey III® Berry Barrettes

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 15 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.

Start with a 1/2" ball of Redwood.

Shape the ball into a teardrop shape.

Flatten the teardrop into a domed teardrop shape and smooth the edges down to the work surface leaving the piece thicker in the middle.

Make tiny little teardrop shapes from Leaf Green. Apply these to the top of the strawberry shape like little leaves flattening them to the strawberry with your fingertips.

Add a tiny Leaf Green stem to the center of the leaves.

To make the strawberry sit well on the hair clip, gently press the strawberry into position where you want it to sit when finished. Since my clip has the open area, I want the strawberry to take on that shape exactly, so I applied enough pressure to the clay to help it sit and take on that shape.

Use the tip of the Knife Tool to add seeds to the berry.

Follow Steps 2-8 to make an identical strawberry for the second hair clip in Sculpey III® Plum.

Bake the berries on the hair clips exactly where you pressed them into place in Step 7 following the baking instructions for Sculpey III®.

Allow the clips to cool completely before handling. Once cooled, carefully pop the clay pieces off of the metal.

Here you can see the impression that the clip left in the clay. This is desired because it will help the berry to go exactly where we want it.

Apply silicone glue to permanently adhere the berries to the clips. Allow to dry completely.