Premo Fantasy Feather Dish

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.

Fold card stock in half. Draw a simple feather shaped template to fit your mold. Cut it out.

On the #2 setting of your clay machine, make a sheet of blended scrap clay in a color that will compliment your feather colors. Cut out your feather shape and bake on the mold for 45 minutes.

While your base shape is baking, prepare three offset Skinner Blends (Gold/Pearl, Peacock/Pearl, Bright Green/Pearl. The offset corners will allow a bit of extra color on one end and white on the other.

Fold the blends into long rectangles, about 1” wide and 8” long. Cut into 4 - 2” pieces and wrap in a #7 sheet of black. Pop any bubbles in the wrap with your piercing tool. Repeat with the other two blends.

Run each of the 24 wrapped blends through the clay machine on a #2 setting. Be sure to have the open areas on each side, not top to bottom. Cut the flattened, wrapped blends into pieces 2” x1”. The 2” sides should show the most color variation. Stack any way you like. I grouped these by color but I like to see them mixed as well.

Make a sheet of black on the #2 setting. With your small ball stylus, trace the center line and about a 1/2” margin around the edge. Start laying out your cane slices. Trimming at the inside center line.

Lay your template on top of the cane. Cut around it, leaving a 1/2” margin.

Apply Bake n’bond to the base. Center the caned sheet on top.

Lay the feather dish face down on card stock, allowing the edges to bend down slightly. Trim to desired size. Make a twisted strand from remaining Gold and Pearl.

Cut a channel through all layers of clay, down to the base. Remove excess clay carefully with your piercing tool. Lay the strand down the center channel.

To add “feet”, make a sheet of scrap clay on the thickest setting, double it and cut circles with the small round Premo! Mini Cutter. Stick them on with Bake n’ Bond. Bake the dosh face up for 45 minutes.