sculpey® clay terrazzo planter

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.

To make a planter this size, start by sectioning the white Oiginal Sculpey® into thin slices.
TIP: This project will be most easily managed if you place all the clay in the middle of a piece of white copier paper. That way you can keep all the little bits on the paper and easily pick them up without them sticking to your work surface.

Using the clay blade, chop the pieces of clay into small pieces. As you lift the blade pieces will stick to it, move them around to other areas, helping to mix up the shades randomly. Chop and chop and chop until they are quite small and randomly mixed.

Form the chips into a pancake shape with your hands. Roll over the pancake to smooth it into a more uniform piece. Flip the piece over and roll over it from the back as well. Push in from the edges to make sure all the pieces are sticking together and roll the front and the back again. Keep the sheet to a ¼" [.6 cm] thickness.

Drape the sheet over the outside of the bowl to make sure it looks like the sheet will be large enough. Carefully lift the sheet of clay from the bowl. Dust a thin layer of corn starch over the outside of the bowl and especially where the bowl has an unglazed area at the base. Wipe off excess corn starch. Use the palms of your hands to form the sheet of clay to the shape of the bowl.
TIP: It’s okay if there are little cracks and fissures in the clay sheet but use fingertip pressure to massage larger cracks back together.

Use a flexible tape measure to wrap a straight edge around the top edge of the clay. Trim a neat edge along the tape and remove scrap clay. If you have an area in the edge where there is a dip, you can use some of the scrap clay to fill it in and then trim again.

Finger buff the cut edge of the clay bowl. Press down on the bowl slightly to flatten the bottom and mark where the foot should go. Turn the bowl upside-down again and set aside.

Use the remaining scraps of clay to form a circle. Roll over the circle with the Acrylic Clay Roller to make sure it is all the same thickness. Use circle cutters to cut a nice clean edge around the inside and the outside of the circle shaped foot. Press the foot into place on the bottom of the bowl. Use one of the rubber smoothing tips to smooth the seam between the foot and the bowl.

Preheat oven to 275 °F [130 °C] and bake the bowl upside down for 30 minutes per ¼" [.6 cm] thickness according to package directions. Allow to cool completely before painting.
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.

Allow the bowl to cool completely and then very carefully work the clay bowl off of the ceramic bowl.

If you want the bowl to be shiny like real terrazzo, you can add a glaze. Stir clear liquid clay completely to mixing in any lumps. Use your fingertip to spread a thin layer of clear liquid clay all over the outside of the bowl. Bake again for 20 minutes at 275°F [130 °C] to set the clear liquid clay.

After the clear liquid clay is set, immediately use a heat gun to bring the temperature of the clear liquid clay up so that it will become truly clear and shiny. Use caution and keep the heat gun moving so that you do not burn the Sculpey® underneath the clear liquid clay.
TIP: Oven baked Sculpey® is waterproof but being exposed to water over long periods of time can cause the clay to look foggy and faded. Protect the inside of your planter from dirt and water by lining it with a plastic liner. If using your planter outside, it will look best longest if it is protected from strong direct sunlight and brought inside after the growing season.

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