faux granite striped earrings

Protect your work surface with a disposable cover, such as wax paper (or disposable foil).
TIP: Work on a metal baking sheet (wax paper or 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 through 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.

Mix equal parts of the Grey Granite with the Igloo clay and equal parts with the Latte clay.

Sheet the conditioned clay out on the widest setting, then use the largest circle cutter to cut out a circle of each shade of clay and mix them together.

Roll the two mixed shades of clay into snakes that are about 3" [7.6 cm] x 3/8" [9.5 mm] thick and twist them together. Continue to twist until the lines of each shade of clay start to become vertical.

Gently flatten the twisted clay as shown.

Roll the flattened clay, with the stripes in a vertical position, out on the widest setting on the clay conditioning machine.

Next, fold the sheet of clay from bottom to top, keeping the stripes horizontal. Then roll through the clay conditioning machine again, with the stripes vertical.
TIP: Be sure to achieve a gentle blending of the stripes. If you want more of a blend, you can roll through again. You can also adjust the machine for a thinner setting and roll the flat sheet through to make the clay thinner but taller (if you want more clay “real estate” to work with!).

Using the blade, cut just the top off each circle.

Add holes to the top of the clay pieces using the needle tool before baking.

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.
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. For best baking results, 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, assemble the metal finding and clay together using the jump ring. Attach the ear wire to the finding.
TIP: Depending on what finding you use, you may need to add another jump ring to the top of the finding to attach the ear wire so that the earrings hang correctly.

Share your project photos with #MakeItWithMichaels