Souffle Watercolor Waves

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® 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.
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 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.

Create a stack of Poppy Seed, Igloo and a final layer of Translucent. The Poppy Seed can be a medium layer, the Igloo and Translucent should both be thin layers. Lightly spray the stamp with water and lay the clay stack, Translucent side against the stamp. Cover the clay with a sheet of paper. Place on a hard floor, stamp side up and step on the stamp. Remove the paper and clay from the stamp and admire your perfect stamped image!

Put on the gloves, get the cotton pads ready, remove the caps from your inks selected. Here is the selection that I used.

Begin dripping the ink onto the stamped image (I don’t remove any water left from the stamping process – it kind of acts as a release for the ink giving more color texture). The ink colors will flow into the textures. I leave open space between the colors.

Use the cotton pads to LIGHTLY remove excess ink and blend the colors (again, I don’t mind having ink free areas of the clay). The goal is to leave strong areas of ink in the lower portions of the pattern. Refold or change your cotton pad frequently.

Once the ink is blotted, immediately spray the surface with the alcohol.

Use a clean cotton pad to lightly wipe the upper surfaces of the clay to remove some of the ink – creating the watercolor effect. Repeat these two steps as needed.

Use your selected cutter (I used the second to largest of the Sculpey Oval cutters for my hat band segments) to cut out your pieces. Bake according to the directions above. (NOTE: I bake my pieces on a 5 inch metal bowl to give them a slight curve for the hat band).

Once the pieces are baked and cooled, I used a very small brush to add a Copper/Bronze highlight ( I mixed the colors 1:1) in the recesses of the texture to highlight the pattern.