glitter rainbow 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 though 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.

Hand roll white glitter clay into very thin strands. You will make 16 white strands total.

Take two strands and seam them together gently. Repeat until all white strands are in pairs of eight total.

Take a paired strand and twist them continuously. Repeat this until all the white pairs are twisted. You will need four white twisted pair strands for each earring.

Now, take two of the white twisted strands and shape them into a rainbow.

Take the black glitter clay and hand roll to make one very thin black strand. Shape this strand on the outside of the rainbow-shaped white strands.

Take the blue glitter clay and roll out eight long, thin strands. Twist them and pair them as you did with the white strands, then shape two of them into the rainbow on top of the black strand.

Repeat Step 7 by putting a small thin black glitter strand on top of the blue strands.

Then, repeat Steps 5 and 6 to place two more white glitter twisted strands on top of the black strand.

Repeat Steps 3-9 to make the second earring. You are now ready to cut your rainbows!
TIP: When you cut your rainbows, make sure to save the cut blue twisted strands as they are. You will use them for the next step.

Once your rainbows are cut, you are ready to make the stud pieces! Take your blue glitter clay and press a small circle into your work surface. Then, take your leftover twisted blue strands and line them up on top of the circular pressed clay.

You will now take the smallest oval cutter and cut your blue clay.

Repeat Steps 12 and 13 to make the other earring.

Using the needle tool, poke holes in the small blue studs.

Roll out a slab of black glitter clay so that it is flat and smooth. Place your rainbows on top of this and use the blade tool to cut the shape of the rainbow out of the black clay. Then, take a needle tool and poke holes in the top of the rainbows.

Preheat your oven to 275 °F [130 °C] and bake 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 is completely cool, attach the earring pieces using jump rings. Then, glue your earring backs to the small blue clay piece.
TIP: Allow to dry completely before wearing.

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