Sculpey Premo™ Hooty the Owl Necklace

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 metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Clay Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 30 minutes per 1/4" (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.

Condition and roll each color clay into equal size logs. Make each log no larger than the diameter of your extruder. Using the Sculpey Super Slicer section each log into very thin slices.

Randomly put slices from each color together, flat sides touching, to form a new log of multiple colors. Don't worry about the order that you put the colors in. The more you mix up the order, the more interesting your finished cane will be. Gently roll the multi-colored log on your work surface smoothing all the slices together. Alternate rolling the log and pushing in on the ends so that the log stays together and the slices don't come apart. Make sure the finished log will fit into your extruder.

Load the multi-colored log into your extruder. Put the square die in place. Extrude the clay, it will come out in a continuous long square shaped log. Trim the ends as desired until you see the pattern that you are most pleased with. Using a ruler to measure, section the square cane into three equal parts and place these together side by side to form a new 3-square cane. If you have additional cane, set it aside to be used as single square pieces. Using a ruler to measure, section the 3-square cane into equal segments again and place these together side by side to form a new 3 X 3 cane.

Slice a 3/16" thick slice off of your 3 X 3 Extruded Bulls Eye Cane. Turn it on a diamond. Remove most of the top square but cutting it out with your Super Slicer making a slightly curved line. Push a jump ring into the top area and the pointed tip opposite. This will be Hooty's body.

To make wings you will need two single square slices. To make the tail you will need three single square slices. Shape each slice into a long diamond shape by pressing in on the sides with your thumb and forefinger. Press a wing onto each side of Hooty's body. Press 3 slices together to form a tail. Poke a hole using the Small Etch 'n Pearl tool in the top of the tail.

Take equal amounts of Bronze and 18K Gold and mix them together (this works perfectly if you have remaining slices from Step 1. of the Extruded Bulls Eye Cane instructions, just use 1 slice each Bronze & Gold). Make a ball and then flatten it on the work surface so it's about 3/4" in diameter.

Place two single square slices from your Extruded Bulls Eye Cane turned as diamonds on the head for eyes. Make a very thin Gold eyebrow and two tiny Gold teardrops. Make a small Orange beak.

Press the eyebrow, ears, and beak in place following the finished photo for placement. Cut a little smile in the beak. Press a well into the center of each eye with the 2mm ball. Make tiny pupils with Bronze and set them into place with the Small Etch 'n Pearl tool. Make a hole in the chin and above the eyebrow with the Small Etch 'n Pearl Tool.

Bake all the pieces. Assemble when cool. Use jump rings through each of the holes in the head and the hole in the tail section to connect the parts to the body. Attach the top jump ring to your chain.