Sculpey Soufflé™ Bargello 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 (also called Curing):

Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). After you are
done creating; for best results bake/cure 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/curing;
however please note that the baking/curing 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.

Make ropes of equal length from 1/4 bar Smoky Mauve, 1/8 bar
Light Pink, and 1/8 bar Sea Glass. This amount of clay will actually make two
pairs of earrings.

Bundle the ropes together sides touching.

Roll the ropes together on the work surface to smooth the rope.

Roll and twist the rope to thin it and to create stripes.

Fold the rope in half and then in half again making a thick log.

Roll and twist the thick folded log to multiply the stripes and to thin it again.

Fold the rope in half and half again making a thick log.

Roll and twist the log to just smooth the sides keeping it thick this time.

Use a Clay Blade to slice the thick log in half lengthwise.
When you open the log you will have a beautiful marbled mirror image pattern.
You could potentially use this side as your pattern if you like. However, since
this tutorial is for the Bargello pattern, we will use the outside instead.

Flip the halves of the log over so that the flat sides lay on the work surface and the stripes are facing you.

Select which half of the log you would like to use, setting the other half aside.

Flatten the half log in front of you using the Acrylic Clay Roller to about 1/8” thick.

Make drags through the stripes using the Needle Tool about 1/8” apart. I find this is easier for me if I turn the clay so that I’m dragging the Needle Tool toward me in straight lines.

Without moving the sheet, roll it with the Acrylic Clay Roller to heal the dragged lines and create the Bargello pattern.

Cut out two arch shapes.

Layout the earring assembly so that you know where to pierce the clay pieces with the Blunt Point Tool for jump rings.

Bake the clay pieces following the baking instructions for Sculpey Soufflé™.

Allow to cool completely before handling.

Use flat nose pliers to open and close jump rings connecting the clay pieces to the findings.