Sculpey Premo™ Fringe Ghost Wall Hanging

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 (also called Curing)

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 as metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Oven Safe Work Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 30 minutes per ¼" (6 mm) of 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

First we will make a simple armature to support the ghost.

Starting in the center of the 12” piece of wire, curl the wire half way around a 3”
diameter glass bottle. This will make a curve in the center of the wire for the
head of the ghost.

Curve both sides of the wire, on either side of the head upward. I used the Acrylic
Clay Roller her to help the wire change directions and to create a smooth
curve.

Set the wire aside for now.

For each 1/2 block of Premo™ Glow in the Dark mix in a 1/2” sliver of the Clay Softener until completely blended. Do this for all three blocks of Glow in the Dark. Use a pasta machine or Roller to mix in the Softener thoroughly. The Softener will
help make the sheets very supple which is necessary for twisting the fringes
later. You may use more or less Softener to your liking.

Each section of the ghost - head, and two arms - will take 1 block of the Glow in
the Dark.

The center head section should be long and skinny. The two arm sections should be
shorter and wider. I produced these sheets using my pasta machine on the second
thickest setting. The center is about 10” long. The arms (sides) are about 4” x
6”. Trim excess clay from the sides so that the pieces are able to butt together along the edges.

Lay the wire across the center section to make sure the clay is wide enough to conceal the wire.

From here on out, I placed the clay on an Oven Safe Work Mat that covered my baking sheet. In this way I will not need to transfer the ghost to the baking sheet
later risking damage to the fringe.

Start with the center section and trim it to 1/4” excess matching the curve of the
head wire. Then bend the clay over the wire as shown, concealing the wire.

Position the two side pieces right next to the center piece and under the wire as shown.

Trim the excess to within 1/4” of the wire. Bend the clay carefully over the wires to
conceal it.

Use the 6 mm Ball Tool to smooth the seam just under the wire.

Now it is time to make the fringe.

Starting in the center, use a Needle Tool to cut lines in the clay vertically from 1/8” clearance of the wire, all the way down to the bottom of the ghost.

Work from the center outward cutting long strips 1/4 wide. Be sure to leave them
connected at the top and cut all the way through to the bottom.

Continue this process until the sides are completely cut as well.

Poke a hole with the 2 mm Ball Tool at the top. This will make a hanger for displaying the ghost when complete. Also, make sure this hole is down a bit (see finished photos) so that the braid step that is coming soon will not cover it.

Make a face with open mouth and sagging eyelids from bits of Black Premo™.

Position these with gentle pressure for the face.

Starting in the middle and working out, pick up one strand at a time and carefully twist
it. Do not twist higher than the face.

Twist until every strand is twisted. You can alternate directions of the twist to make it more random. Also making some twists tighter than others will help it look more messy and ghost like. Let the strands fall where they may. After baking they can be easily separated.

Use some scraps of clay from Step 5 to create a braid as shown. Roll the scraps into a
thin rope. Bend the thin rope in half and twist them together.

Add the twisted rope just under the area where the wire is concealed. Press it in place to hold and to strengthen the structure of the armature.

Before baking, I scored along the top edge of the ghost armature lightly with the
Needle Tool to create more texture - see final photo.

Bake following the baking instructions for Premo™ Sculpey.

Allow to cool completely before handling.

Note: the Glow in the Dark clay will amber just a bit during baking because of how
translucent it is - the translucence helps it glow brighter!

Once baked and cooled, carefully separate the strands but gently pulling them apart
where they overlapped and stuck together.

If there is any wire showing out the ends of the arms, this can be carefully trimmed
away with wire cutters.

Add a clear fishing line through the hole and tie off a knot for the hanger. Trim the
tails of the fishing line with scissors.

Hang in a location where it can absorb lots of light. It will then glow in the dark.