Premo! Silkscreened Drawer Pulls

Getting StartedPolymer clay may stain. CLAY MAY DAMAGE UNPROTECTED FURNITURE OR FINISHED SURFACES. DO NOT USE polymer clay on unprotected surfaces. We recommend working on the Sculpey clay mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Start with clean hands and work surface area. 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°F (130 °C) for 30 minutes per ¼" (6 mm) thickness. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME. Wash hands after use. Baking should be completed by an adult.Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). Test temperature with oven thermometer for perfectly cured clay. For best results, condition all clay by running it through the Clay Conditioning Machine for several passes on the widest setting. Fold the clay in half after each pass and insert the fold side into the rollers first.

Lightly sand the knobs and paint them with the Gold paint supplied in the Sculpey Silkscreen kit. Allow to dry

Mix 1 part of Turnip to 4 parts of the Peacock Pearl and sheet through the Clay Conditioning Machine on the #2 setting until thoroughly mixed through. Sheet again on the #2 setting. Place the silkscreen shiny side down and gently press into place. Apply a thin line of Gold paint at the top of the selected pattern that is the width of the pattern.

Gently (and quickly) spread the paint with the provided paddle. (NOTE: I cut my paddles in half - then they exactly fit these round mandala patterns and I have TWO chances to misplace the paddle!) Peel the silkscreen up and immediately wash the silkscreen. I keep a small bowl of water so that I can put the screen right into the water (paint side down) and then carry it to the silk to wash under running water.

Allow the paint to dry on your clay. You can screen the second pattern at this time if you wish. NOTE: If the silkscreened pattern is not up to your standards, you can immediately wipe the clay with a baby wipe and screen again!)

Once the paint has dried thoroughly, trim off the excess clay. Place the screened portion face down on a clean sheet of paper and put a double layer of deli paper over the top. Select the cutter that is just slightly larger than the area you are going to be putting the clay and press firmly into the stack of delli paper and clay. (I use an acrylic block on the top of the cutter to get an even press and prevent bruising to my hands)

Remove the cutter and the deli paper and you should have a nicely rounded back edge to your clay. Carefully peel the paper from the front of the clay - don't peel the clay from the paper as it will distort the circle! Test the piece for the correct size in your knob. If all is well, apply a little of the Bake n' Bond to the inside of the knob and position the clay in the knob. Back the entire knob according to the directions above. Stand the knobs up in the oven on a sheet of cardboard or a baking tray to bake. Once the knobs are cooled, you can add a thin layer of Sculpey Satin Glaze to the clay surface to help protect the paint.