premo! Hollow Bead Domed Statement Necklace

GETTING STARTEDPolymer 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.

Make a sheet of 18K Gold using the Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine on the #1 setting. Spray a little water on the texture sheet. Press the texture sheet onto the sheet of clay using even pressure. Lift the texture sheet and use the Graduated Circle Cutter (1-3/4”) to cut a circle over a section of the pattern that catches your eye.

Position the cut circle of clay over the top of the largest dome on the Hollow Bead Maker. Gently press the circle down using the palm of your hand so that the edges of the circle make contact with the dome. Take care to not press too hard and distort the texture. Use the ½” circle cutter from the mini cutter set cut a hole on one edge of the domed clay about 3/16” in from the edge. Cut the ½” circle between 4 and 5 o’clock. Open the jar of Antique Copper Pearl Ex powder and dip your finger in. Tap your finger on the edge of the jar to knock off excess powder. Gently rub the powder over the high points of the textured clay. Repeat this until all of the raised areas of texture are covered with the powder. NOTE: The gentle rubbing of the powder onto the clay “burnished” the powder into the clay creating a nice bond. Bake the clay on the Hollow Bead Maker according to the directions above.

Using the clay conditioning machine, roll out a small sheet of Black clay on a number 3 setting. Take the 3/8” circle cutter and cut a 3/8” circle and place it onto your sheet of paper. Pick up the Hot Fix crystal with the tweezers and place into the middle of the circle of Black clay; gently press the crystal into the clay. Open the jar of Aztec Gold Pearl Ex powder and dip the tip of your Needle Tool in. Gently tap the tool on the edge of the jar to get rid of excess powder. Press the side of the Needle Tool into the clay with the tip pointing towards the center where the crystal is. Repeat this all of the way around until you have divided the circle into 8 equal sections. Bake for according to the directions above.

Combine and condition together equal parts of 18K Gold and Pearl to create a Light Gold color. Roll into a sheet on the # 1 setting of the clay conditioning machine and put the sheet of clay onto your piece of paper. Pick up the small circle of Black clay with the crystal in it from Step 3 and rub a small amount of Bake N’ Bond onto the back of it. Place the circle of clay onto the light gold sheet and lightly press down so it makes good contact.

Pick up your baked dome from Step 2 and position it over the sheet of clay so that the circle with the crystal in it is showing through the hole in the domed piece. Gently and evenly press the dome down into the sheet of clay. You do not want to push it all of the way through you just want it to go in far enough so the outside edge is about level with the sheet of clay. Pick up the Needle Tool and position it with the tip pointing straight down and directly up against the side of the domes piece. Keeping the Needle Tool pointed directly down push all the way through the sheet of clay to the paper and drag the needle all of the way around the dome. Lift away the excess clay and set it to the side. Lift the piece off of the paper and use your finger to smooth the clay against the edge of the domed piece. Bake according to the directions above. NOTE: Performing this step on the piece of paper allows you to turn the paper as you use the Needle Tool to cut the sheet of clay away from the dome and also to help lift it off of your work surface.

Roll out a sheet of the light gold mixture on a number 3 setting on the clay conditioning machine and cut a 1.5” circle using the graduated cutters. Bake according to the directions above and set to the side.

Step 7 - Roll out a sheet of clay on a number 3 setting, fold in half, and cut out a 1-1/2” circle using the graduated cutter. Rub a thin layer of the Bake N’ Bond onto the back of the domed piece and place your 1-1/2” circle on the center of the back. Position the 1.5” cutter about ½” in from the edge of the circle of clay you just added to the back of your domed piece. Push all of the way in and lift the cutter out. Move the cutter about 3/16” of an inch closer towards the center of the circle of clay and push it through all of the way again. Remove the cutter and lift out the curved strip of clay between the two cuts you made. NOTE: The thickness of the sheet you cut your circle from can be adjusted to fit the type of cord or beaded strands you are going to hang your pendant on.

Rub a small amount of Bake N’ Bond onto the back of the piece and add the 1-1/2” baked circle from Step 4 onto the back. Bake for approximately 30 minutes. When completely cool, paint a thin layer of Sculpey Glossy or Satin Glaze over the top of your piece and let dry. NOTE: The glaze will protect the powder and highlight the metallic and pearlescent qualities of the powder and clay.

Finish your piece by running a cord or strung beads through the curved channel on the back of the piece.