Sculpey Soufflé™ Flexible Faux Leather 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.

First mix Light Turnip by completely mixing 3 parts Igloo and 1 part Turnip.

Roll thin sheets of each color that are 1/16” thick. These should be rectangular in shape about 1” wide and 3.5” long.

Layer the Turnip on top of the Light Turnip.

Roll gently with the Mini Roller to seal the two sheets together and to press out air bubbles.

Lay the layered sheet down on the work surface. Roll over them to mount the sheet to the work surface.

Use tweezers to lift composite gold leaf pieces to the clay surface. Scatter the leaf pieces randomly over the surface of the clay. Make sure the pieces are well stuck to the clay with fingertip pressure.

Roll the layered sheet to thin it and to extend its size to at least 1.5” wide and at least 4.5” long.

The total thickness of the layered sheet should be about 1/16” thick so that it will be flexible after baking.

Use the Mini Blade to cut out two pieces .75” wide and 4.5” long.

Use the cutting edge of the 1” circle cutter held at an angle to remove each end making a curved cut as shown. Be sure to angle the cutter so that you only cut the edges.

Use the Mini Blade to cut a line down the center of each strip
ending 1/4” from each end.

Use the Mini Blade to cut two more lines on either side of the middle cut and make these cuts slightly shorter than the center one ending 1/4” from each end. At this point you should have three cuts running through the center from end to end of each strip.

Poke a hole in each end with the Needle Tool between the long center cut and the edge of the strip.

Bake the pieces flat on a baking tray following the baking instructions for Sculpey Soufflé™.

Allow to cool completely. Once the pieces are cool, carefully pull the strips apart as shown.

Next, bend and arrange one of the strips as shown creating a curled piece that resembles leather. Secure with a jump ring through each of the end holes to hold it in place. Use flat nose pliers to open and close the jump ring.

Repeat the bending in the opposite direction to make mirrored pieces.

Here’s the layout for the earrings.

Use flat nose pliers to connect the ear wires to the jump rings.