sculpey iii® turquoise glitter trinket tray

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.

Use equal amounts of ¼ block of Silver, beige and pearl shades of clay for a total of 2 oz. [57 g].

Roll each of the ¼ bars into a little thick rope about 2½" [6.3 cm] long.

Bundle the different shades of clay together as shown.
TIP: For more contrast, bundle the two lighter ones opposite each other and the two darker ones opposite each other, but you can bundle them however you like. Squeeze the bundle together in the palm of your hand to remove the air out of the middle and make a solid thick rod.

Roll and twist the rod on the work surface to begin creating a twisted rope.

Keep rolling and twisting to create a thinner striped rope and until the rope is about 8" [20.3 cm] long.

Fold the rope in half and then in half again to create another thick rod.
TIP: Doing this will help make the stripes more random and multiplied.

Once again, roll and twist the rope until it is about 3/8" [9.5 mm] thick. Then taper both ends with your fingertips.

Coil the rope tightly into a nautilus shape, making sure there are no gaps between the coils.

Place the coiled patty onto a piece of scrap paper.
TIP: Working on both sides of the patty and placing it on paper makes it easy to pick up and flip over.

Flatten the coiled patty with the acrylic clay roller to even it out and to bond all the coils together.

Flip the patty over and roll over the back side as well to make sure all the coils are bonded together with no gaps.

With the flattened patty on the scrap paper, take your pointer finger and drag it through the shades.
TIP: To achieve a good blend of the shades, just drag your finger through all the areas, turning the paper and going at it from various angles. Use the paper to flip the piece over and drag through the back as well. If the piece starts to flatten out too much, you can push in from the sides with the palms of your hands to thicken it up again. Then roll over it with the roller again to make it even.

When you have it as blended as you would like, pinch up the outside edges to create a rim and form a shape that will look more like a little tray.

Preheat oven and bake the clay pieces at 275 °F [130 °C] for 15 minutes per ¼" [.6 mm] 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.