Sculpey Soufflé™ Bargello Bead Filigree Dangle Pendant

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.

From 1/4 bar of each of the colors except for Igloo, make thick rods. Make very skinny rods from Igloo. Bundle the rods together as shown.

Roll and twist the rods together until they are long and striped

Fold the long rope in half and then half again.

Roll and twist the folded rope to create a multitude of stripes. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 as necessary to get lots and lots of stripes. Once you have lots of stripes, press the log with hand pressure on each of the ends to shorten the log and make the log at least 1” thick

Slice the log in half lengthwise right down the middle to make two half logs. Flatten the half logs with the acrylic clay roller before pressing it through the pasta machine.

Press each half through the pasta machine on the thickest setting. Score shallow lines perpendicular to the stripes with a needle tool. This will slightly drag the colors into each other creating a Bargello paper look. Sheet the pieces through the pasta machine once again on the second thickest setting to make them smooth again.

Roll a snake of Cornflower to about 1/4” thick. Wrap it with the sheets of Bargello and trim the ends. Roll the snake very gently to seal the sheet around it and also to reduce it to 3/16” thick. Cut the rope into 1.25” lengths for Bargello Beads. Poke holes in the beads lengthwise with the needle tool. Bake the beads following the baking instructions.

When the beads are completely cool, place an E-bead on a headpin, then a Bargello Bead, then another E-bead. Trim the headpin 3/4” from the top of the last bead. Curl an eye into the pin tightening it right above the top bead with round nose pliers. Repeat for each of the Bargello beads. Attach the loop in the head pin to one of the connector loops on the filigree with a jump ring. Attach all Bargello beads to the filigree likewise. Connect the filigree piece to the necklace cord with a jump ring. I had plenty of the Bargello pattern left over, so I made coordinating dangle earrings to match as shown.