Premo SculpeySimple Chain Link Earrings

Step 1:

Getting Started: Do not use unbaked clay on unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Start with clean hands and work surface area. Good work surfaces include wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Knead clay until soft and smooth. For best results, clean your hands in between colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces together firmly. Bake on oven-proof glass or metal surface at 275 degrees F (130 degrees C) for 15 minutes per ¼” (6mm) thickness. For best baking results, use and oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME. Wash hands after use. Baking should be done by an adult. Begin by preheating oven to 275 degrees F (130 degrees C). Test temperature with oven thermometer for perfectly cured clay. For best results, condition all clay by running it through the clay dedicated pasta machine several passes on the widest setting. Fold the clay in half after each pass and insert the fold side into the rollers first.

Step 2:

Sheet Peacock Pearl through the pasta machine to the second thickest setting. Divide the sheet in half. Texture one side of the sheet with the Chain texture pattern and leave the other side untextured. Press the Chain texture into the clay as deeply as you can with fingertip pressure. Once the texture has bitten into the clay, you can make it deep and even by rolling over it with the Acrylic Clay Roller. Remove the texture sheet carefully

Step 3:

Cut out two 1.5” teardrops from the textured sheet and two 1.5” teardrops from the plain sheet. Make sure the teardrop lines up nicely with the textured pattern - see Step 7 for reference.

Step 4:

Use the 2” teardrop cutter to remove the tip from each of the teardrops as shown.

Step 5:

Cut the chain into pieces using the wire cutters. I cut right through the links with the cutters and discard the cut links. You will need two .5” pieces, eight 1” pieces, and two 1.5” pieces. Embed these pieces of chain in the backing clay as shown.

Step 6:

Sandwich the chains into place with the textured pieces. Make sure the front and the back are stuck together well but don’t smash the textured design.

Step 7:

Use the knife blade in the 5-in-1 Clay Tool to remove the center part of the design. Smooth the cut edges carefully with your fingertip.

Step 8:

Dab your fingertip into the gold mica powder and carefully apply it to just the raised surfaces. Bake the pieces following the baking instructions for Premo Sculpey®. After removing them from the oven, carefully slide them onto a flat surface to cool so that they will remain flat.

Step 9:

When the pieces are completely cool, apply a thin layer of Sculpey Glossy Glaze to set the mica powder in place. Add ear wires to the top chain pieces with jewelry pliers.