Souffle Steampunk Heart Charm Bracelet

Step 1:

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® Work ‘n Bake Clay 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 metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Clay Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 30 minutes per ¼" (6 mm) 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.

Step 2:

Sheet out some of the conditioned Sea Glass clay on the second to widest setting on the Clay Conditioning Machine. Lightly spray your selected texture with water and press the clay onto the texture. Remove the clay. You can also add a little bit of Pearl Ex to enhance the texture. NOTE: Make sure that you invert a few of the hearts before doing surface work so that you have hearts to hang both directions.

Step 3:

Now the fun part! You get to decide what of your bits and pieces you want to add to the heart! I wanted to add the keyhole to this piece for the center charm. I used Bake n’ Bond on the back of the keyhole and gently pressed it into place before baking.

Step 4:

Continue to create your hearts and embellish them. Use small dots of Bake n’ Bond to secure them to the clay surface. I like to mix my metal colors on each heart. Some of these pieces were created with the colored Liquid Sculpeys in the silicone mold described above. Just put small dots of LS in each portion of the mold and scrap the top surface with an old credit card to remove the excess liquid. Bake for 30 minutes as described above. Then just pop out the molded pieces! If you don’t want to create your own pieces, there are PLENTY of steampunk bits and bobs in the craft stores

Step 5:

Here are all my hearts ready to go into the oven! I bake on the cardboard flaps from all the boxes I receive in the mail. Bake according to the directions in Step 1.

Step 6:

After baking, you can apply bits of paint to the hearts and remove the excess paint with a baby wipe.

Step 7:

While the hearts are drying, determine the length of your bracelet chain and add your clasp. Once the paint has dried, lay the hearts out along the chain to determine which ones to use and where to place them.

Step 8:

Use your Dremel or pin vise to drill the hole in each heart and attach a jump ring through the hole and onto the chain links. Souffle is so easy to drill after baking!