Creating a Sparkle Flower with Polymer Clay

Presented by Christi Friesen, Award-Winning Artist, Author and Educator,
Instructions by Ian, Content Development Group, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
E64L

Make a "sparkle flower" pendant in this polymer clay project led by award-winning artist Christi Friesen who walks you through the steps using Premo! Sculpey® clay, flat back hot-fix rhinestones and crystal headpins.
STEP 1
Cut a 2-inch length of 20-guage wire.
STEP 2
Use Premo! Sculpey® polymer clay to create three road kill leaves.

View the ''Creating a Polymer Clay Road Kill Leaf'' how-to video for more information.
STEP 3
Condition polymer clay colors of your choice well by hand kneading or running through a polymer clay roller until soft and pliable. Blend the clay to create a color similar to that of flower petals.

Form five pea-sized balls from the blended clay then roll one side of each ball into a teardrop and flatten, forming petals. Overlap each petal to form a fan or half circle. Pinch the ends of the fan into each other so all the leaves overlap, forming a flower.

Flatten down the ends of the petals to give the appearance of blooming.
STEP 4
Apply one or two hotfix crystals to each petal of the flower. Slightly embed each crystal into the clay so they will better adhere during the baking process.

Pinch and twist the stem, formed by the petals of the flower, to elongate then carefully use a blade to slice off excess clay from the stem. Roll the remaining stem-nub into a point.
STEP 5
Join the three road kill leaves (Step 1) by their stems. Use a small amount of clay to form a pad that is the same color as the road kill leaves then apply over the joined stems.

Use a pointed tool to create a shallow hole in the pad that is big enough to fit the nub of the flower. Place the nub of the flower into the hole of the pad and use a pointed tool to further embed the center of the flower.
STEP 6
Use pliers to wrap four or five crystal headpins to each other, then trim excess wire leaving approximately 1/2 inch. Place a very small ball of flower-colored clay into the center of the flower. Embed the headpin cluster into the center of the flower through the small ball of clay.
STEP 7
With an artist brush, apply a small amount of mica powder to the leaves and petals of the flower.
STEP 8
Use pliers to form a small loop on one end of one 2-inch length of 20-gauge wire then form a shepherd's crook just above the loop. Embed the loop and the opposite end of the wire into the green clay of the road kill leaves just under the flower.

Note: The shepherd's crook will be the only part of the wire sticking out from the clay.
STEP 9
Place the flower onto a baking rack. Place the baking rack into the pre-heated clay craft oven and bake according to manufacturer's instructions.

Tip: Tissue paper can be used to prop up the leaves and flower petals during the baking process to give it the desired look.

Have a question regarding this project? Email Customer Service.

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