violet glitter crystal votive

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 half block of violet glitter clay by running it through the clay machine on the #1 setting.

Cut out a 2" [5 cm] circle from this sheet of clay with a circle cutter. Repeat this process using the translucent clay.

Stack the translucent circle on top of the violet glitter circle. Place votive candle in the middle of the circle. You will be building your crystal shapes around the candle on this base.

All the crystal shapes for this project are made using the skinner blend technique. You will be making approximately 15 to 20 crystal shapes of varying sizes. Ten will be on the larger side, approximately 1" - 2" [2.5 cm - 5 cm] and the other ten will be smaller, approximately ½" - ¾" [1.2 cm - 1.9 cm] in size.
TIP: To skinner blend, make three blends, each will be the same mix of the translucent and violet glitter clays.
- Sheet the clay out on the #2 setting (second from widest) and make a rectangle. Do this with both the violet glitter and translucent clay. Cut the rectangle in half.
- Make new rectangles using one white and one violet each (make two rectangles).
- Fold over each rectangle.
- Run through the pasta machine. Fold the bottom to the top and roll through. Repeat this process, always keeping the lines of colour perpendicular to the rollers of the machine (do not rotate the sheet of clay left or right). Fold and roll until the colour blend is smooth to your satisfaction. Repeat two more times for the other crystals.

Once the blend is made, roll the sheet into a cylinder shape and roll lightly. Press this cylinder into a four-sided shape now.

Use your clay knife and cut the square edges away about 1/8" [3.1 mm]. Cut pieces away from the more translucent end to create the crystal points.

Set aside your crystal shape on some waxed paper and repeat this process until you have all your crystal shapes complete.

With the remaining remnants of clay, roll together and make 10 to 15 tiny crystal shapes for fillers.

Attach your crystals around the votive. Start with the larger ones first, pressing them on at an angle.
TIP: Use a drop of Oven Bake Adhesive to help attach. You may have to trim the bottoms to get them to fit on the base how you want them.

Once the larger crystals are on, add the smaller crystals. Once complete, use your extra crystals to fill in the bottom and any gaps around the votive.

Preheat your oven to 275 °F [130 °C] for 30 minutes per ¼" [0.6 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.

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