Sculpey Souffle Fuchsia Screened Resin Pendant

Getting Started - Polymer 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.

Prepare a small amount of 2-part resin per the manufacturer’s instructions. Pour a small amount into the smallest size circle cavity in the cabochon mold. You only want to fill the cavity to just below the line where the straight edge starts. Set the cabochon mold to the side and wait for the resin to cure to the point where it is still slightly sticky on the surface. Note: How long it has to rest will depend on the cure time of the brand you are using. A good way to check the resin is by using one of the Etch N’ Pearl tools. Lightly touch the pointed end of the tool into the very top surface on the outside edge of the cavity.

Note: Since glitter tends to end up everywhere it is a good idea to find a separate space away from your main work area for this part of the process. Once the resin is cured to the point where the surface is still a little sticky sprinkle some of the holographic fuchsia glitter onto the surface of the resin and use your fingertip to gently buff the glitter onto the resin. After you have the glitter thoroughly buffed onto the resin gently blow away the excess. Prepare another small amount of the 2-part resin and stir in a small amount of the Carbon Black Pearl Ex powder. Slowly pour the black tinted resin over the surface of the glitter and keep pouring it on until it is level with the top surface of the cabochon mold. Set the mold to the side and let the resin cure completely.

Once the resin is completely cured pop the cabochon out of the mold. You will notice that the surface of the cabochon is dull from where it was touching the cavity of the mold. Prepare a small amount of the 2-part resin and use the plastic bristle paint brush to paint a thin coat over the surface of the cabochon. Place the coated cabochon under a small dish or pan and set to the side so the resin coating can cure completely. Note: covering the cabochon will keep dust from settling and becoming trapped on the surface of the cabochon.

Condition a half block of Poppy Seed clay and roll out a sheet on the thickest setting on your Clay Conditioning Machine. Cut out one piece that is about 2” square and set the rest to the side.

Pick up the square of clay and place it directly in front of you on your work surface. Position the screen onto the clay so the design you are using is centered over the square of clay. Gently rub the screen onto the surface of the clay so it is making good contact. Note: This next part needs to be done quickly so the paint doesn’t dry on the screen. Have the jar of glitter open and to the side so you can work quickly. First screen a layer of the clear medium that is just a little bit heavier than normal. Next immediately sprinkle a solid layer of the fuchsia glitter over the screen. Use your finger tip to rub the glitter through the screen. Do so gently but be quick. Once you have the glitter rubbed through the screen immediately lift the screen off of the clay and place into the pan of water. Rinse the screen thoroughly taking particular care to rinse off all of the glitter. Lay the screen out to dry or gently pat it dry with a paper towel. Move the screened piece of clay to the side to let the paint dry.

Once the paint has dried place the piece of screened clay onto an index card. Center the 1-3/4” cutter over the screened pattern and cut out the circle. Next position the ¾” cutter over the section of the screened pattern where the splatter streams extend out from. Position the cut circle onto the Hollow Bead Maker and press down onto the domed form so it makes good contact all of the way around. Bake directly on the Hollow Bead Maker for 20 minutes and let cool completely. Note: Precutting the ¾” circle before placing the clay onto the Hollow Bead Maker will result in a beveled hole. The beveled hole creates a nice clean space for the resin cabochon to drop into.

Once the piece has cooled remove it from the Hollow Bead Maker and turn the domed clay upside down on your work surface so the concave side is facing up. Roll out a thin sheet of Poppy Seed clay and cut out a 1” circle. Rub a thin layer of Bake N’ Bond round the outside of the ¾” hole, place the 1” circle of Poppy Seed clay over the hole and press the edge of the circle against the inside of the domed piece. Be sure to press it down all the way around. Bake this assembly for 10 minutes and let cool completely. Note: The purpose of backing the ¾” hole is so that you have a surface you can glue the resin cabochon onto later.

Condition some of the holographic fuchsia glitter into about ½” block of Turnip clay; you want just enough glitter so you can see some sparkle in the Turnip clay. Once you have the desired amount of glitter mixed into the clay roll out a sheet on the thickest setting of the Clay Conditioning Machine. Rub a thin layer of Bake n’ Bond around the bottom edge of your baked dome and press it firmly into the sheet of Turnip/glitter mix until the lip of the dome is even with the top of the sheet of clay. Pick up the needle tool and hold it so it is straight up and down against the edge of the dome and with the pointed end of the tool pushing down into the Turnip/glitter sheet of clay. Push the tip of the needle tool all the way through the sheet of clay and onto the index card. Slowly drag the needle tool around the edge of the dome until you have gone all of the way around. Once you have dragged the needle tool all of the way around peel the excess clay from around the edge of the dome.

Lift the backed dome off the index card. Use your finger tip to smooth the cut edge of the backing clay over onto the edge of the dome so you have a nice smooth edge all of the way around. Once you have the edge smoothed over bake the assembly for 20 minutes and let cool completely.

Roll out a thin sheet of the left over Turnip/glitter mix of clay and cut out a 1” circle. Look at the front of the piece and determine which way you want the pendant to hang. Use the pencil to make a faint mark on the top edge so that when you turn the piece over you know which part of the edge is the top. Select an Etch N’ Pearl tool that is slightly larger in diameter than the silk cord you are using. Lay the Etch N’ Pearl across the back towards the top edge. Drape the 1” circle of the Turnip/glitter mix over the Etch N’ Pearl Tool and then press the edges of the circle onto the back of the pendant. Remove the Etch N’ Pearl tool by gently twisting and sliding it out. Place the pendant face down on the polyester batting, bake for 15 minutes, and let cool completely.

Add a couple of small dots of super glue to the back of the cabochon and position it into the ¾” hole. Lightly press it into place so the cabochon is making good contact with the clay backing the hole. Set the assembly to the side and let the glue cure per the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the glue has cured slide the silk cord through the opening on the back and finish the ends.