Tutorial Polymer Clay Bracelet & Earrings

A fun and easy polymer clay jewelry set make a great Valentine’s Gift for a girl friend.

Tip: You can use this tutorial as the basis, from which to make more complex designer jewelry. Even changing the colors to chocolate, powder blue and off-white will shift the style of the piece to be more grown-up.

Bead & Jewelry Making Materials Needed

A. 1 oz in each of the following colors: Granny Smith, Violet, Sunseteach of Sculpey III

B. 3 oz of Sculpey Ultra Light Polymer Clay

C. Sculpey Super Slicer

D. Large needle
E. Beading elastic and earring findings

Directions for Making Polymer Clay Beads

1. Mix each of the colors with an equal portion of the Ultra Light clay.

2. Pinch off about 1/3 of the red/orange mix and form it into a small rectangle of color. Repeat with the other 2 colors, stacking the rectangles on top of each other.

3. Cut the stack in half and re-stack the two halves together.

4. Press the stack back to it’s original size and shape. Cut the stack in half again. The layers become smaller and more numerous. Set the two stacks aside.

5. Pinch off a small portion of the green mix and roll it into a ball. Then, roll it to form it into a cylinder. The cylinder should be about the same length and height as your stack.

6. Cut even slices from your stack and lay them around the outside of the cylinder, laying them to reach from one end to another and making sure that the colors alternate.

7. Once the entire surface of the cylinder is covered, gently squeeze the cylinder, or cane to press the slices into position.

8. Place the flat part of your hand on the cane and begin to roll it back and forth on your worksurface. Grasp each end and gently pull to lengthen the cane. Continue rolling the cane until you reach the diameter you wish to make your beads.

9. Repeat steps 5-8 with the two other colors to create 3 canes.

10. Slice your beads from each of the three canes.

11. To make a hole in each bead for stringing, twist the large needle half-way through each bead. Turn the bead and repeat from the other side until the holes meet. Place each bead on a sheet of plain paper so that they don’t touch. Repeat with your other beads.

12. Roll several small round “spacer” beads from your remaining colors of clay and pierce them with your needle tool.

13. Place the sheet of paper containing your caned beads on the baking tray and then add your spacer beads. Bake according to the Sculpey III package directions. Allow the beads to cool.

Directions to Make a Bracelet

String your beads onto the jewelry elastic until you have enough beads to encircle your wrist. Tie a double knot in the elastic and pull it tight. Trim the elastic, leaving a ¼ inch selvage.

Directions to Make Earrings

Thread a caned bead and a spacer bead onto a header pin. Trim the header pin, leaving ¼ inch remaining. Grasp the top of the header pin with your round nose pliers and roll the pliers TOWARDS you to create a loop. Add your earwire before closing the loop entirely.

About Sculpey III Polymer Clay

Sculpey III has the same excellent handling qualities as regular Sculpey, only it’s softer and more pliable, making it easy to condition. It bakes to hardness in the oven at 275°F (130°C) for 15 minutes per ¼” (6 mm) thickness. It requires no painting. Individual colors are sold in 2 oz (57 g) blocks.

This polymer clay comes in 5 different sets:
1. Sculpey III Polymer Clay Color Sampler Set — Contains 30 assorted colors in 1 oz (28 g) blocks. The Sampler Set is a great way to try out a lot of colors without buying individual blocks.
2. Classic Colors Set — Contains ten, 2 oz (57 g) blocks. White, Black, Chocolate, Blue, Yellow, Red, Beige, Emerald, Purple, and Just Orange.
3. Bright Ideas Set — Contains ten, 2 oz (57 g) blocks. White, Hot Pink, Purple, Turquoise, Violet, Lime, Lemon, Atomic Orange, French Blue, and Red Hot Red.
4. Naturals Set — Contains ten, 2 oz (57 g) blocks. Vanilla Cream, String Bean, Granny Smith, Just Orange, Elephant Gray, Pottery, Hazelnut, Stonewash, Tomato Red, and Sunset.
5. Pearls and Pastels Set — Contains ten, 2 oz (57 g) blocks. Gold, Pearl, Light Pink Pearl, Light Blue Pearl, Silver, Ballerina, Spring Lilac, Sunshine, Pale Pistachio, Elephant Gray.
Each set allows you to create unique jewelry styles.

You can purchase online Polymer Clay at Amazon .

Tutorial: Sculpey, a polymer clay manufacturer