faux ceramic earrings

Protect your work surface with a disposable cover, such as wax paper (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 through a conditioning machine.
TIP: You can also condition by running clay though a pasta machine. Use a designated machine for clay purposes only. Clean hands with soap and water (or baby wipes) before switching clays. Shape clay, pressing pieces firmly together. Wash hands after use.

Roll out a sheet of clay using the roller.

Use the largest of the tear drop cutters to cut out at least two teardrops and use the smallest circle cutter set to cut out two circles for the top of the earring.

Add a hole to the bottom of each circle and the top of both teardrops.

Preheat your oven to 275 °F [130 °C] and bake the clay pieces for 30 minutes per ¼" [.6 cm] thickness according to package directions. Allow to cool completely before handling.
TIP: For best results:

• Bake clay on an oven-proof surface such as metal or aluminum foil. 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.
• Use an oven thermometer.
• Do not use a microwave oven.
• Do not exceed the above temperature or recommended baking time.

Once the clay has cooled, you can start painting!

Put a small amount of the white paint onto a non-porous surface.

Tap the head of the detail tool into the puddle, and gently tap the baked surface of the clay while holding the tool straight up and down.

Add the middle of the first flower to one of the baked earrings.
TIP: If you do not like the effect or the placement is not quite right, just quickly wipe the paint off with a baby wipe!

Reverse the tool and dip the rubber end into the paint for the petals, paying attention to keep the tool straight up and down and how much pressure you use to tap the tool to the clay.

Now add three more petals at right angles.

Add another petal between each of the first four petals, keeping the spacing as even as you can.

Use the smaller ball stylus on the dual detail tool to add smaller dots between the petals as shown.

Repeat Steps 7-14 to create another flower towards top of the teardrop and for the circle piece as well.

Repeat Step 15 for a second earring. Let dry completely.

Add jump rings to connect the two earrings.

Glue the posts to the back of the circles and let dry completely.

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