Sculpey Premo™ Glowing Tentacle Earrings

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:

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 1/4" (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.

Roll 1/4 bar of each color into a thick rope. Lay the ropes side by side and pinch them together enough so that they cling to each other.

Press the ropes through the clay conditioning machine on the thickest setting placing the stripes perpendicular to the rollers. Fold the striped sheet in half matching like color to like color. Press through the clay conditioning machine again folded end first. Pressing the fold through first helps keep the clay sheet from trapping air between the layers.

Continue folding and pressing the sheet through the machine until the colors are blended slightly. By this time the blended sheet will have widened to the width of the rollers.

Start on one edge and roll the clay sheet up into a 1/4” rope. Slice this rope off from the sheet of clay. Roll the rope gently until it is 8” in length and taper it on both ends. Repeat to make a second tapered 8” rope. Set the tentacles aside for now.

Roll a 1/8” rope of Glow in the Dark. Use the small Etch ‘n Pearl to pick up a tiny piece of the clay in the domed end.

Clean excess from the end of the Pearl tool so that just the dome part is filled with clay.

Press the small pearl into the side of the tentacle. Gently push and twist the pearl tool so that the clay pearl sticks to the tentacle and is release by the twisting. Repeat picking up small Glow pearls and pushing them into place in a line along the side of the tentacle.

Continue adding the pearls all along one side of the tentacle as shown. Repeat for the second tentacle as well.

Curl up the Purple end of the tentacle into a nice curly-q as shown. Using a very sharp super slicer blade, carefully cut straight through the tentacle. Smooth the cut edges with your fingertips. Repeat for the second tentacle.

Curl up the Glow end of the tentacles as well.

Embed an earring nut into the dark side of the tentacle. Reshape the tentacle as needed. Repeat for the second tentacle.

Carefully take the needle tool and poke the point into the hole in the ear nut to make sure it is clear of clay. Bake the tentacle pieces following the baking instructions for Premo. When they are completely cool, glue the ear posts to the lighter side of the tentacles. Allow glue to dry completely.