Premo! Floating Filigree Earrings

Getting Started Polymer 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.

Cut two 4-1/4” long pieces of the illusion cord/monofilament. String one size 11 seed bead onto each strand. Fold the length of illusion cord/monofilament in half and tie the two ends together using an overhand knot. Try to get the knot about 1/8” of an inch away from the cut ends. Pick up one of the post earring findings and string the knotted end through the loop and pull until the bead meets the hole. Make sure the knot is centered at the bottom of the loop. Add a small drop of superglue to the backside of the loop on the earring finding and use the tweezers to hold the bead in place for a few seconds while the glue starts to set.

Condition the following ratio of clays together: 1-part Blush, 1-part Copper, and 3-parts Pearl. Once you have a thoroughly mixed color roll out a sheet on a medium/thin setting on the Clay Conditioning Machine. Smooth the sheet of clay onto the ceramic tile and use the 1-1/4” oval cutter to cut out two pieces of clay. Peel away the excess clay and set it to the side, leave the ovals on the ceramic tile. Use the top edge of the ¾” oval cutter to make impressions at the top of each oval about 3/8” of the way in. Pick up one of the earring posts with the illusion cord/monofilament. Get the knot centered into the bottom of the impression and gently press into place. Lay the illusion cord/monofilament into the impression running up both sides and gently press into place.

Roll the clay left from cutting out the ovals in Step 2 into a sheet using the same setting from Step 2. Cut out two 1-1/4” ovals. Use the 1/1/4” oval cutter to trace the shape onto the decal sheet. Position the cutter into the center of the design and use the mechanical pencil to trace around the inside of the cutter. Use the curved scissors to cut out the shape, when you’re cutting out the piece of decal cut just inside the line. Repeat this process to cut out a second piece of decal. Once you have your decal pieces cut out soak them in a shallow dish filled with water for 30 seconds. Gently slide the decals off of the paper-backing, and place onto the clay. Use a paper towel to dab away the water and then use the squeegee to smooth the decal down and remove air bubbles. Use the paper towel once more to dab away any extra water that might have come out while using the squeegee. Squeeze a thin line of Bake N’ Bond over the illusion cord/monofilament. Gently lift one of the decal covered ovals and position it over the top of an oval with the illusion cord/monofilament. Lightly press into place so the monofilament is now sandwiched between the two layers of clay. Use your fingertip to smooth around the edges of the stacked pieces of clay so the edges match up. Repeat this process with the second decal covered oval of clay. Bake the complete assemblies, with illusion cord/monofilament in place, based on the directions above and let cool completel