Sculpey UltraLight® Cherry Topped Box

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 15 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.

In this tutorial we will tint the Ultralight clay from white to blue, deep pink, light pink, and light green to make all the colorful elements for the box top.

For the blue box top, use 1/2 ounce of Ultralight and mix in 1/4 teaspoon of blue mica powder. Mix completely by kneading. Feel free to use more mica powder if you want the color to be darker. Mix in small amounts of powder and blend completely with fingertips before adding more.

Roll the blue Ultralight into a smooth ball.

Flatten the ball with the Clay Roller to a thick patty about the size of the box top.

Use fingertips to manipulate the round clay patty to match the shape of the box
top. Smooth with fingertips and the Clay Roller.

Use the flat side of a Clay Blade to push the edges straight matching the shape of
the box top.

For the colorful elements, use another 1/2 ounce of Ultralight. Divide it into
three equal size pieces.

Mix dark pink mica powder into 1/3 of the clay. Mix light pink into another 1/3.
Mix light green into the last 1/3. Mix by kneading each color separately, cleaning hands well between colors. Feel free to add more mica powders as needed to make the colors as deep as you like. Always mix in small amounts, kneading completely to check the colors before adding more.

Shape a cherry from Light Pink. Make the back of the cherry flat and the top domed so
that it sits nicely on the box top. Use more or less clay to achieve the size
cherry that you prefer.

Use the 6 mm Ball Tool to add shape to the top of the cherry.

Shape and add a deep pink cherry to the box top.

Use a smaller piece of the light green clay to make a leaf shape with a flat back
and position it on top of the box.

Use the 2 mm Ball Tool to sketch where the cherry stems should go into the blue
clay.

Lay gold tone fine chain around the outside edges of the cherries and the leaf. Cut
the chain with wire cutters. Use the silicone tip of the tool to push the chain into the clay helping it seat permanently.

Add lengths of the fine gold chain to make the stems for the cherries where
indicated by the marks made in Step 11. Push the chain into the clay enough
that it stays in place.

Bake following the baking instructions for Sculpey® Ultralight. Allow to cool
completely before handling.