Sculpey® Ultralight Ombré Flower 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 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.

Divide 1/2 ounce of Ultralight (UL) into 3 equal pieces.

Completely mix 1/32 bar Ultramarine Blue into one of the pieces from Step 2.

Sheet the light blue clay to 1/16” thick with the Clay Roller or on the fourth thickest setting on a pasta machine.

Using the 1” teardrop cutter, cut six petals.

Use the round end of the teardrop cutter to remove the tips from the blue teardrops as shown.

Mix all the remaining blue clay into another piece of the UL from Step 2 to make the blue even lighter. Sheet this clay to the same thickness as in Step 4.

Cut out six petals with the 3/4” cutter. Remove the tips as you did before.

Mix the remaining UL piece from Step 2 with 1/32 bar Purple Premo™.

Sheet as in Step 4.

Use the 1/2” teardrop cutter (from the mini geometric cutter set) to cut six petals and remove the tips as before.

Place one petal at a time in the palm of your hand. Curl each petal by rolling with pressure with the 12 mm Ball Tool.

Pinch the bottom to a point.

Repeat curling and pinching every petal.

Now assemble the flowers for each earring.

Start by placing three of the darkest blue together with points touching. Repeat for second earring.

Next arrange the lighter blue petals on top of the base petals as shown.

Seat the lighter blue petals in place with gentle pressure using the 12 mm Ball Tool.

Position three purple petals on top and seat them in place.

Here are the assembled petals. Make sure they are all stuck together.

We will string seed beads onto head pins for the little details in the center of the flowers. Refer to the final photos for the random number of beads that are used to make the finished flowers look organic. String beads onto six 1” head pins for each earring for a total of 12.

Trim the ends about 1/8” from the last bead with wire cutters.

Poke six beaded head pins into each flower center. Add a little bit of the purple color into the center to help hold the head pins in position.

Very carefully push a 2” head pin through the bottom layer of petals hiding the head of the pin in the clay and allowing the tail of the head pin to stick out through the top. After baking, this will be made into an eye hook for the earring assembly.

Bake the clay pieces following the baking instructions for Sculpey Premo™. Allow to cool completely before handling. Once cool, put a bead of silicone glue on the back of the earring to hold the head pins in place permanently.

Use round nose pliers to curl the end of the head pin into small circle to create the eye pin.

Here’s the final assembly layout for the earrings.

Use flat nose pliers to open and close the eye on the ear wire connecting the ear wire to the eye.