Sculpey® III Mosaic Vase

Your workspace:
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.

Getting Started:
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 15 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.

Start by blending together ¼ package of the white and ¼ package of another color (except black). Twist and roll the two colors together. Continue twisting and rolling. To prevent your “snake” from getting too long, push the ends towards each other to form a fat log. Continue to twist and roll but be careful not to over blend.

Once the two colors have formed thin stripes, slightly flatten your log and roll it through your clay conditioning machine, long side against the rollers, set on the thickest setting. Run the sheet through again on the next setting down. You should end up with a long stripped sheet similar to the picture.

Run the sheet through again on the next setting down. You should end up with a long stripped sheet similar to the picture.

Cut several circles and at least 8 petals from one end of your sheet and set the shapes aside. Cut the remainder of your sheet into thin strips approximately 1/4” - 3/8” wide. Cut each strip again, vertically, so that you end up with small squares. Set these aside.

Repeat steps 1 - 4 with all the other colors of clay, except black.

Once you have all of your clay sheets cut into shapes, place them onto your baking surface and cure them in a 275 degree oven for 10 minutes.

After your tiles are cured and cooled they can easily be cut into triangles, rectangles and smaller squares with your craft knife. Place the blade of the knife where you want the cut and press down evenly.

Sort your tiles by shape and/or color.

Condition the black clay and roll it through on the next to thickest setting of the clay conditioning machine. Cover just one side of the vase with the black clay. Make sure there are no air bubbles between the clay and the surface of the glass. Texture the clay with a piece of sandpaper. This will help cover up any finger prints.

Now the fun begins, deciding on the design! Start each design by using a small circle as the center of a flower. Arrange 8 petal shaped tiles equally around the circle. Don’t press the tiles into the black clay yet. Just place them on so that you can rearrange should you change your mind on their placement. Continue by placing other shapes and colors around the flower in circular patterns.

Once you are happy with the placement of your tiles begin gently pushing them one by one into the black clay to adhere them.

* Note - You must go back and double check each tile once you have pressed them all in. The cured tiles will displace the uncured clay slightly. This may cause some tiles to move and they will need to be pressed down again to insure they have full surface contact.
**Once you have one side of your vase complete you may find it helpful to cure it before starting on the next side. Bake according to package directions. Allow the vase to completely cool before removing it from the oven. Glass will remain hot for quite some time.

Continue on to the next side of the vase with Steps 9 - 11 until all sides are covered. Place in oven for final curing.

Your workspace:
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.

Getting Started:
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 15 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.

Start by blending together ¼ package of the white and ¼ package of another color (except black). Twist and roll the two colors together. Continue twisting and rolling. To prevent your “snake” from getting too long, push the ends towards each other to form a fat log. Continue to twist and roll but be careful not to over blend.

Once the two colors have formed thin stripes, slightly flatten your log and roll it through your clay conditioning machine, long side against the rollers, set on the thickest setting. Run the sheet through again on the next setting down. You should end up with a long stripped sheet similar to the picture.

Run the sheet through again on the next setting down. You should end up with a long stripped sheet similar to the picture.

Cut several circles and at least 8 petals from one end of your sheet and set the shapes aside. Cut the remainder of your sheet into thin strips approximately 1/4” - 3/8” wide. Cut each strip again, vertically, so that you end up with small squares. Set these aside.

Repeat steps 1 - 4 with all the other colors of clay, except black.

Once you have all of your clay sheets cut into shapes, place them onto your baking surface and cure them in a 275 degree oven for 10 minutes.

After your tiles are cured and cooled they can easily be cut into triangles, rectangles and smaller squares with your craft knife. Place the blade of the knife where you want the cut and press down evenly.

Sort your tiles by shape and/or color.

Condition the black clay and roll it through on the next to thickest setting of the clay conditioning machine. Cover just one side of the vase with the black clay. Make sure there are no air bubbles between the clay and the surface of the glass. Texture the clay with a piece of sandpaper. This will help cover up any finger prints.

Now the fun begins, deciding on the design! Start each design by using a small circle as the center of a flower. Arrange 8 petal shaped tiles equally around the circle. Don’t press the tiles into the black clay yet. Just place them on so that you can rearrange should you change your mind on their placement. Continue by placing other shapes and colors around the flower in circular patterns.

Once you are happy with the placement of your tiles begin gently pushing them one by one into the black clay to adhere them.

* Note - You must go back and double check each tile once you have pressed them all in. The cured tiles will displace the uncured clay slightly. This may cause some tiles to move and they will need to be pressed down again to insure they have full surface contact.
**Once you have one side of your vase complete you may find it helpful to cure it before starting on the next side. Bake according to package directions. Allow the vase to completely cool before removing it from the oven. Glass will remain hot for quite some time.

Continue on to the next side of the vase with Steps 9 - 11 until all sides are covered. Place in oven for final curing.