premo Sculpey Halloween Sugar Skull Place Setting

Your workspace: 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. Getting Started: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. PREMO / SOUFFLE / - for SIII the baking time would change 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.

Condition the entire block of White clay. Roll four 7/8” diameter balls of White clay. Press each of the 4 balls flat onto your work surface so they are about 3/16” thick. Use your fingers to shape the flattened balls of clay into a “keyhole” shape that is approximately 1-3/4” tall. Make all four skulls as close in size and shape as possible.

Use the needle tool to make the impressions for the nostrils. The nostrils should be positioned at about the point where the jaw portion of the skull starts to form. To make the mouth use the needle tool to make an indented line that goes across the jaw leaving a little room on each side. For the teeth, use the needle tool to mark a series of equally spaced lines that are perpendicular to the line for the mouth, makes these marks on both side of the mouth line. Use the 6mm ball stylus to make the eye-socket impressions. Position these two eye sockets towards the outside edge of the skull. Note: leaving the extra room between the eye sockets will allow for more space to put the flowers over the eyes. Set one of the skulls to the side to be used at a later time. Bake the remaining 3 skulls for approximately 15 minutes. Let cool completely before moving on to the next step.

Brush some black acrylic paint into the nostrils and mouth/teeth indentations; do NOT paint the eye sockets. Use a damp paper-towel to wipe away the excess paint. Bake the painted skulls for 5 minutes and let cool completely. Note: If you still have faint leftover streaks of black paint on the surface of the skull after baking you may use fine grit sandpaper to remove the paint.

Condition ¼ of the block of Purple Pearl and roll out a sheet of clay on the next to thinnest setting of the Clay Conditioning Machine. Cut out five 5/16” circles of clay. Roll each of the small circles of clay into a ball and then shape into a teardrop. Position the 5 teardrops of clay into a circle with the points all facing into the middle and so they are equally spaced thus forming a 5-petal flower. Use the 2mm ball stylus to gently blend all of the points in the middle together so that the flower is one piece. Repeat this process 7 more times so you have a total of 8 small flowers. Set two of the flowers to the side to be used at a later time.

Pick up one of the baked skulls and brush a very thin coat of Clear Liquid Clay into the eye sockets. Pick up one of the flowers and position it so that the center of the flower is lined up over the center of the eye socket on the skull. Use the 6mm ball stylus to press the flower down into the eye socket. Use your finger tip to gently press the flower petals onto the surface of the skull. Repeat this process on the rest of the eye sockets on the 3 baked skulls. Do NOT bake the skulls yet.

Dip the needle tool into the jar of Apple Green Pearl Ex Powder and gently tap off the excess. Use the powder coated needle tool to make an indent down the middle of one of the petals. Repeat this process on the remaining petals. Note: You’ll need to dip the needle tool into the jar of powder after each indented line is made.

Dip the 2m ball stylus into the jar of Scarlet Pearl Ex Powder and make a small round indent at the outside edge of each flower petal. Repeat this process on the remaining petals. Note: You’ll need to dip the ball stylus into the jar of powder after each dot is made.

Condition a small amount (about 1/8 of a block) of Black clay and roll out a sheet on the thinnest setting of the Clay Conditioning Machine. Cut out eight 5/16” circles and roll these cut circles into small balls, set 2 of the balls to the side to be used at a later time. Place one ball into the center of each flower on the three baked skulls. Use the 6mm ball stylus to make a small indent in the balls of Black clay. Note: Making the small indent in the Black ball of clay will help adhere it into the eye socket. Bake the three flower detailed skulls for 15 minutes and let cool completely. Set the decorated skulls to the side for later.

Place Card Holder