Sculpey® Soufflé Silkscreened Pieced 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® Oven Safe Work 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. BAKING SHOULD BE DONE BY AN ADULT.

Sheet Igloo Soufflé through the clay conditioning machine to the third thickest setting. Lay the sheet on the work surface and make sure that it is completely flat. Lay the silk screen on the clay sheet shiny side down. Make sure that all air bubbles are burnished out with your fingertips. Place a line of paint above the Agate design and squeegee it across the design holding the squeegee at a 45 degree angle. Also screen the Deco Leaves image. Immediately place the screen in water to clean it.

Allow the paint to dry completely. Cut out around the screened pieces with a large circle cutter. Also cut out a plain circle of Igloo.

Sheet Igloo through the clay conditioning machine on the third thickest setting. Burnish a piece of variegated leaf onto the sheet with your fingertips.

Place half of the Deco Leaves piece on the plain disc. Slice through the variegated leaf piece making a strip that is angular in shape. Place it next to the Deco Leaves piece.

Cut a straight line through the Agate screened piece and position it next to the leaf. Re-cut the circle shape using the largest circle cutter possible for the design.

Press the design over the largest dome of the Hollow Bead Maker making sure to work out any trapped air. Bake following the baking instructions in Step 1.

When the Hollow Bead Maker is completely cool, carefully pop the clay piece off. Sheet either Igloo or a coordinating piece of scrap clay through the clay conditioning machine to the third thickest setting. Cut out a circle shape that will just fit inside the back side of the curved pendant. Press it in firmly pushing out any trapped air

The next instructions are based on the Easy Back by Jan Montarsi.  Texture this back piece with rough sandpaper or another fine texture. Set this piece aside unbaked.

Cut a 1” circle from the same clay you sheeted in Step 8. Use the little oval shaped cutter to remove two grooves in the circle as shown.

Press the small circle onto the smallest dome of the Hollow Bead Maker and texture it as well. Bake the small circle following the baking instructions for Soufflé.

When the Hollow Bead Maker is completely cool, pop the backing off. Press it into the fresh clay on the back of the pendant piece. Make sure to line up the little grooves at the top of the pendant because this is where the chain will go through the back. Press the baked clay into the fresh clay and use the sandpaper or other texture to push the fresh clay up around the baked clay. Bake the piece one more time. You can cradle it in the back side of the Hollow Bead Maker for support.

When the piece is completely cool, use super glue gel to apply three metal flat discs down the center of the variegated leaf area.

Add the gold chain with the clasp through the Easy Back.