Sculpey Soufflé™ Origami Sculpture Decor

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 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.

For this tutorial it is important to have a vessel that will support the piece during baking so that after baking it will stand up on it’s own. I have chosen a square ceramic dish with steep sides that can go into the oven with the clay. The bottom of the dish is approximately 2” square, so that is the beginning measurement that I am starting with to create my origami piece. If you find a square dish or baking pan that has a small bottom, you can adjust the dimension of the origami piece either larger or smaller based on the size of your vessel.

Sheet Thistle through the pasta machine on the second thickest setting. I am using a pasta machine because it is critical to have all the elements in this origami piece be a consistent thickness.

Cut out five 2” squares - the same size as the bottom of the vessel (or adjust for sizing based on the size of the bottom of your vessel).

Carefully fold one of the squares in half as shown not closing it or creasing it all the way. Just creating a bend down the middle.

Lay the vessel on one of it’s flat edges so that the bottom of the vessel is perpendicular to the work surface and the opening is facing toward you. Position the bend along one of the interior creases of the vessel so that the clay is halfway in the bottom and halfway up one of the sides as shown.

From the same sheet used in Step 2, cut out a 1” Square. Gently pinch the points with your fingertips and it will curve away from you slightly.

Flip the square over so the gentle curve is facing you and fold the square in half diagonally.

Position the smaller square as shown lining up the crease with the crease in the 2” square from Step 4.

Use the tip of an Etch ‘n’ Pearl to mark the center of the small diamond as shown. These are just guidelines and will not show in the finished piece.

Bend each of the remaining four squares from Step 2 in half.
Pinch the tips together.

Turn the piece so that the bend is facing you. Use an Etch ‘n’ Pearl to score the rounded side of the bend across the middle. This creates a score line for the next fold.

Here’s a better look at the score line.

Pinch the two tips toward each other so they bend on the score line.

Keep pinching the tips until they meet. Carefully pinch them together to seal them to each other. You now have your first origami fold. This is how the folded piece looks from the top.

This is how the piece should look from the side. Leave the open ends open.

Repeat these folding steps for all four of the original 2” pieces we cut out in Step 2.

Gently bend two of the pinched points slightly downward as shown on the right.

Place the four origami folded pieces in the vessel so that the pinched tips touch in the middle. The two with the bent tips are in the bottom so that they attach better to the base clay in the vessel. I am working with the ceramic dish laying on its side so that the origami piece is facing me and is in the bottom of the dish. Two of the petals are going up the sides of the dish and two are resting on the bottom wall.

When you are happy with the placement of the petals, push them into place with an Etch ‘n’ Pearl tool forcing the petals to make contact with the base clay.

Shape the sides of the petals with your fingertips bending the sides down a bit so there is a little more empty space between the petals.

Score the base clay at the N,S,E, and W points between the petals with an Etch ‘n’ Pearl.

Sheet more Thistle to the second thickest setting with the Pasta Machine and cut out four 1” squares. Fold each one in half diagonally and pinch the points together.

Position these small petals between the large ones in the vessel.

Use the 6 mm Ball Tool to push the inner open areas of the small petals into place securing them to the base clay underneath. Only push in areas where the pressure will not change the shape of the petals.

Push again in the outer locations.

Cut out a 3/4” Square and pinch the points. The square will curve away from you.

This is how the curve looks from the back.

Position the small diamond with the curve side down in the center of the origami flower. Tuck the points into the open inner ends of the small petals.

Seat the inside diamond into place with the 12 mm Ball Tool creating a divot at the same time.

Use the 6 mm Ball Tool to create a billowy design in the center as shown. Adding details with pressure like this not only adds more detail but it also helps the top layers of clay mount to the base clays beneath making the whole structure more rigid and connected.

Add more details around the center with the 6 mm Ball Tool.

Make a small ball and set it into place with the large Etch ‘n’ Pearl.

This next step is crazy and you can skip it if you want…. But here goes! Carefully remove the unbaked folded piece from the square vessel.

While the flower is outside of the vessel you can refine the details with your fingertips by pinching.

Pinch tips to a sharp point as desired.

Carefully place the bent flower back into the vessel with the bend supported by the corner of the vessel.

Add little pearls of Thistle into the design with the Small Etch ‘n’ Pearl.

Keep the vessel laying on its side to support the flower. Bake the flower in the vessel following the directions in Step 1. Allow to cool completely.

Carefully pop the origami flower out of the vessel with your fingertips and enjoy.