Sculpey III® Whimsy Wings Earrings

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 15 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.

Roll 1/4” thick ropes of Silver, Light Blue Pearl, Navy Pearl, and Black. Lay the ropes side by side and pinch them together so they stick to each other.

Press the ropes through the clay conditioning machine on the thickest setting. Fold the striped sheet matching like color to like color.

Press the fold through the clay conditioning machine first. Repeat folding like color to like color and pressing through the clay conditioning machine until the colors start to blend. Compare the width of the blended sheet to the height of the wings mold. We want the blended sheet to be almost as tall as the wings.

Use the needle tool attachment to drag through the colors creating a pattern of scored lines 1/8” apart.

Set the clay conditioning machine on the second thickest setting. Sheet the blended sheet through this time without folding it. Send the sheet through with one of the solid colors parallel to the rollers so the sheet is stretched slightly. This will reveal the pattern of the lines going through the colors as the sheet is flattened.

Cut away a piece from the sheet that is wide enough to accommodate the wing shape. Press the piece into the wing mold with the stripes facing inside the mold. Use finger pressure to force the clay into the shape of the wing.

Cut another piece from the sheet that is wide enough to accommodate the wing shape. Press this piece into the other wing shape. Carefully remove the pieces and turn them over to see the blended colors and the wing texture

Carefully cut away the excess clay with the knife tool attachment. Use the needle tool attachment to poke a hole in the top of each wing as shown.

Bake the wings following the baking instructions above in Step 1. When the wings are completely cool, compare the size of them to the size of your feathers. If the feathers are a little too long, just cut through the quills to make them a good size for the clay wings.

Glue the feathers to the backs of the wings. Allow the glue to dry completely. Attach a 6mm jump ring through the hole in the wings. Assemble the ear wires to the wings with a 4mm jump ring.