turquoise glitter teardrop 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.

Condition one half block of pearl clay and roll out a sheet that is at least 3" [7.6 cm] wide and 1" [2.5 cm] tall. Use the wavy blade to trim a little bit across the bottom long edge of the sheet of clay.

Then, condition one half block of turquoise glitter clay and roll out a sheet that is at least 3" [7.6 cm] wide and 1" [2.5 cm] tall. Use the wavy blade to trim across the top long edge of the sheet of clay.

Condition one half block of Gold clay and roll out a sheet that is at least 3" [7.6 cm] wide and 1" [2.5 cm]. Use the wavy blade to cut a strip that is 3" [7.6 cm] wide by about 3/16"-¼" [4.7 mm - 6.3 mm] tall with wavy lines on both edges of the strip of clay.

Condition one half block of pearl clay and roll out a thin sheet that is at least 4" [10.1 cm] wide and 3" [7.6 cm] tall.

Take the thin sheet of pearl and lay it down onto the work surface. Put all the wavy edges together on top of it. Lay the cut strip of turquoise glitter clay about half-way up the sheet of pearl clay and smooth into place.

Next place the Gold strip into the grooves of the turquoise glitter clay. Then add the Pearl wavy edge sheet into the grooves of the top of the Gold strip.

Place the 1¾" [4.4 cm] tear drop cutter onto the assembled sheet of clay, so the Gold strip is across the middle of the height of the cutter. Cut all the way through the sheet of clay.

Remove the cutter and cut a second tear drop in the same manner.

Use the 1¼" [3.1 cm] tear drop cutter to cut a tear drop out of the middle of each of the 1¾" [4.4 cm] tear drops.

Using the Gold clay left from when you cut the wavy strip of clay, roll a thin sheet of clay and cut two ¾" [1.9 cm] tear drops.

Use the needle tool to poke holes into the tops of the large tear drops and into the tops and bottom middle of the Gold small tear drops.
TIP: Make sure the holes are large enough to fit the Gold jump rings.

Preheat your oven to 275 °F [130 °C] for 30 minutes per ¼" [.6 cm] thickness according to package directions and bake. 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.

Add jump rings to the clay pieces connecting the small Gold tear drops to the larger tear drops. Then add the fishhook earring findings to the top of each earring.

Share your project photos with #MakeItWithMichaels