I have another crafternoon project to share with you this week. I am getting creative with clay and trying my hand at making polymer clay earrings. Keep reading to see my process as well as a few mistakes and failures!
You may remember I purchased a few Etsy Craft Kits to Try a few weeks ago. One of those kits is a polymer clay earring making kit by Katrilee. A small kit containing four different colour polymer clays, various shaped cutters, a rolling pin and earring backs. All for the price of ยฃ21.30, including delivery. The perfect way to try out a new craft and have a go at making polymer clay earrings.
But what is polymer clay?
Polymer Clay
Polymer clay is a synthetic clay made up of Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC. It is essentially a plastic that remains malleable until it is cured. The clay is baked at a set temperature for a set amount of time to complete the curing process and make it hard. This also gives it the name of oven-baked clay. It is a great clay for model making, creating home dรฉcor pieces and even jewellery. That is where these polymer clay earrings come in!
Making Polymer Clay Earrings
The process of making polymer clay earrings appears fairly easy, but believe me, it is a tad more difficult than it looks. You have to achieve the best thickness of the clay, as well as bake the clay just right.
Now, I have used air dry clay before, which can be slightly easier to work with, so I thought the next logical step would be trying polymer clay. I donโt want to put you off, but your first attempts are probably not going to look like the inspiration pictures you aspire to create. I learnt this the hard way. But practice makes perfect, right?
I am going to walk you through the steps that I used to create my earrings, including the bits that went wrong, so that you donโt make the same mistakes. I am a complete beginner when it comes to polymer clay, so everything in this post was a learn as you go type of thing. Sometimes you just have to show the reality of crafts, right? We can only learn from our mistakes, and hopefully, you can learn from mine.
So, keep reading if you like to see the process of making polymer clay earrings for the first time, as well as learning some tips and tricks for working with polymer clay.
Let’s get crafting!
See these DIY Clay Coasters and Clay Pumpkins if you would like some air dry clay inspiration!
Prepare Surface
As this is a craft, you want to make sure that you are using a protected surface. The clay can become sticky and colours may run, so you donโt want to do this on your best table. I used a marble slab, which I often use in photoshoots, as my work surface and covered this in greaseproof paper. My thought behind it is greaseproof paper is non-stick, so should help release the clay easily.
You also want to line a baking tray with greaseproof paper too. I used a small tray with sides rather than a flat tray.
Conditioning Polymer Clay
Before you can even attempt to make your earrings, you need to make the polymer clay pliable. The clay comes in blocks that are quite stiff, and you canโt just begin rolling it out. You have to do something called conditioning first.
Conditioning is selecting a piece of the clay, I use a craft knife to slice a piece off, and kneading it in your hand. You can fold, squeeze and rub it until it softens slightly and becomes pliable in the hands. The motion of kneading and the heat from your fingers helps to soften it and make it usable to work with. The clay can be a little sticky, and if you have coloured clay, some of this may come off onto your hands. You can always use disposable gloves to reduce staining on your skin, although it does wash off fairly easily.
Once the clay is conditioned, it is time to move on to the next step.
Rolling the Clay
After conditioning, the clay can be rolled out into your desired thickness. Professional/experienced polymer clay artists invest in pasta making machines to roll out the clay. This helps in creating a nice smooth thin piece of clay. As this is my first time using polymer clay, I am using what is in the craft kitโฆa rolling pin. Now, you want to make sure that you are using equipment only for the clay making, so donโt grab your baking rolling pin as this will contaminate.
You want to make sure the thickness of the clay is even, and I read a great tip to do this. Stack a few craft sticks to the same height on either side. You then place the clay in between this and use the rolling pin, making sure that it sits on the craft sticks. This in theory should give you an even thickness,as the craft sticks do not allow the rolling pin to go too low.
Now, I didnโt have craft sticks so used metal skewers to determine the thickness. They moved aroundโฆa lot, so I would advise against this and try out the craft stick way. I think this is where the problems with the making of my polymer clay earrings started.
You can also prepare your clay in different ways, combining colours a or ceating a marble effect. I chose to have block colours and the marble effect.
To create the marbling, select two or three of the colours. Condition the clay to make it pliable and then roll them into thin sausage shapes. Place the colours next to each other and twist them together. You can roll these in your hand to combine, and continue twisting until you have the marble effect. Then simply roll them out.
After rolling it is time to cut into shapes.
Cutting Shapes
In the kit, there are a variety of cutters, including a hexagonal shape, star shape and square shape. All of which can be used to make cute earrings. You can also design your template and use a craft knife to cut around the shape. I opted to use the cutters since they came with the kit.
Just like cutting biscuits out of dough, you use the same principles. You just need to make sure you have enough clay rolled to fit the cutter onto.
I cut lots of shapes, as well as cutting into some of the shapes to create new ones. The plan was to create dangly earrings, with several pieces using jump rings to do so. Therefore before baking, holes needed to be placed into the shapes. Luckily the kit comes with a toothpick, so I used this to create the holes.
When assembling the earrings, I came into problems, and part of that was the location of the holes. Now, you want the holes to be near to the edge, but not right on the edge, as this is more fragile. I placed my holes too far in for the jump rings to connect two pieces. So, be mindful of where the holes are placed.
Once everything is ready, it is time to bake.
Baking the Polymer Clay Earrings
You want to make sure the oven is pre-heated and then turn it to the lowest setting. The kit gives directions for this, but if you have your clay, then the instructions should be on the packet.
Place the baking tray with all of the shapes into the oven, and bake for 30 minutes. To help with even baking, I have read and seen in several tutorials to create a tent with foil. This will help the air circulate the clay and help prevent it from burning on the top.
When the clay is baked, it can still be pliable and at its most delicate, so be careful when removing it from the oven. Allow it to cool fully before handling.
I think this may have been part of the problem with my earrings. The clay felt cool, but I think I should have left it a while longer to make fully sure before moving on to the next step.
Sanding
The kit comes with sandpaper, so use this to sand down the edges. I attempted to sand the whole piece, as I thought this would help buff the clay, however, it just caused scratches. I used finer sandpaper but still didnโt achieve a shine that I liked. It may be the colours of the clay, but I feel like the pieces look like clay and not nice shiny earrings, if that makes sense? You may be able to put something over it to give it a bit more shine, but I didnโt.
You want to be careful when sanding, especially if you have thin pieces as they can break. This is where I have a few disasters with some of my shapes snapping. If they snap the right way, you may still be able to use them though as an abstract piece!
After sanding it was time to assemble the earrings with the fastenings.
Assemble Polymer Clay Earrings
So, now we have all the pieces to create the earrings. There are several types of backings for the earrings, including studs and dangling hooks. I wanted mine to have a dangle to them and planned on connect several of the hexagonal shapes for a long earring.
Jump Rings & Studs
To do this, you want to open a jump ring and thread this through the polymer clay earring and then through the hoop of the earring piece. Then close this up so that they are secure. Use another jump ring at the bottom of this shape (if you have created a hole), and connect this to another shape. Remember when I said the placement of the holes is important? Well, this is when I learnt the hard way. The distance between the hole and the edge was too great or not wide enough, which meant the clay pieces were rubbing together. It also meant the jump ring couldnโt fasten. Being slightly heavy-handed ended in disaster with one of the pieces cracking and breaking at the jump ring hole. So, there went the plan for a long dangling piece!
For the stud earrings, I used one of the hexagonal shapes and placed a small amount of super glue (included in the kit). Then placed the stud back piece onto this, allowing it to dry and harden.
After all the backings have been attached then the making polymer earrings process was complete and these are the final results. As you can see, they are not what you would see on Etsy made by a professional, but not too bad for a first time crafter. Although I am not sure polymer clay earring making is my forte, it was good to give the craft a try!
What do you think of these earrings? Will you be making your own, or do you have any tips and tricks for working with polymer clay? Pop them in the comments below, I would love to know your thoughts and advice!
Making Polymer Clay Earrings โ Video
Here is the video of making the polymer clay earrings. You can see the mistakes happening in real time here! Donโt forget to give the video a like if you enjoyed it as well as subscribing to my channel. It would be great to see you over there too!
Save it!
If you have enjoyed this post, then why not share the love by sharing it or pinning it? You can also check out my Pinterest for more creative inspiration!
Have a creative project in mind, but donโt know how to plan it? I have you covered with a FREE creative project planner when you sign up to my email list. Grab yours now!
woahhh!!! loved it how you you put an image to each step
Glad you like it!
Thanks for commenting ๐
Aimsy xoxo
You’ve made me with to make my own pair of polymer clay earrings! I really like the pair with the stars You’ve made, so pretty. Definitely have to give this a go. Thank you for sharing your process.
I wasn’t too sure about them, but they have grown on me. I want to try out more shapes now, especially for Christmas!
Glad you like them and thanks so much for commenting ๐
Aimsy xoxo
You are so creative! I love the design idea and the colours — thanks for sharing this!
Thank you, and glad you like them! I will have to try a few other colours now!
Thanks for commenting ๐
Aimsy xoxo
These are amazing Aimsy! This finished products are beautiful – the colours youโve chosen are so pretty! Time for an Etsy store? Thanks for sharing.
Aww, glad you like them! I was undecided, but maybe I need to have a bit more practice with them. Don’t know if they’re good enough for an Etsy store!
Thanks for commenting ๐
Aimsy xoxo
Such a cute idea to make earrings like this, so creative! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Glad you like them, Lucy! I wasn’t too sure about them, but they turned out pretty well.
Thanks for commenting ๐
Aimsy xoxo
I love the shapes you have cut out and the color options that make this a diverse kit! The stars are so pretty being simple and elegant, but the studs are awesome too!
I am so glad you like them Jaya! I wasn’t too sure about the cutters at first, but you can make some great shapes. A bit more practice and maybe I will have some more beautiful earrings!
Thanks for commenting ๐
Aimsy xoxo
A friend & I used to make things out of polymer clay when I was a kid, but I haven’t had a go in years!
Something is fascinating about it, isn’t there? Maybe this is your sign to get back to crafting with it?
Aimsy xoxo
The earrings are so pretty, and you make it sound easy.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Aww thank you, I am glad you like them!
Aimsy xoxo
What an absolutely lovely craft, Aimsy, I had no idea you could buy kits. I think this would be a perfect pre-Christmas gift for Flora as most of her friends have pierced ears so she could make them their own earrings. Thank you so much for sharing your step by steps, including the mistakes not to make! x
Oh, that would be an awesome idea! I bet Flora would love to have a go at crafting them. There are loads of different kits out there with different styles too. Hope you guys have fun creating!
Aimsy xoxo
WOW! I am sure I say this on all your posts but you are so talented! I had no idea it was as easy to make earrings and I love the idea that you can personalise them or make them any shape and size you prefer! These are such a great idea and would make a great gifts for loved ones.
Sarah | http://www.aspoonfulofvanilla.co.uk
Aww, thank you. They would make great gifts, especially if the person loves a good funky earring! It would be great to make Christmas themed ones for novelty earrings!
Thanks for commenting ๐
Aimsy xoxo
These look so freaking cute! Polymer clay earrings have been on my to-try list for AGES xx
Glad you like them! Its a fun little craft!
Aimsy xoxo
I love what you got here Aimsy! I have used polymer clay before and I find it quite challenging when baking it…but yours do look lush! The studs are definitely my favourite, they look like marble x
I think the baking part is quite difficult, as it is hard to tell if they are done or need a little bit more, isn’t it?
Definitely need a bit more practice, but they turned out great for a first attempt!
Thanks for commenting ๐
Aimsy xoxo
This is so cool! You make it look effortlessly too. Looks like I may need a polymer clay DIY kit myself this holiday season and check it out myself! I am always in need of a good hobby to occupy some free time.
Aww, glad you like them! I was winging it really haha, but they turned out great, didn’t they? It would be a great little hobby to start!
Thanks for commenting ๐
Aimsy xoxo
They are so lovely!
Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk
Glad you like them!
Aimsy xoxo
These earrings are just adorable. I would like to make these for myself. I really like them and I like making my own earrings.
Aww, I am glad you like them! Have fun creating your own!
Aimsy xoxo
I recently found out how polymer clay is different and a bit difficult to handle too. Saw a few creators making jewelry out of that. Mixing of colors is the difficult part as the color could bleed. But i didn’t know this one is to be baked too. Loving the greens and browns of the jewelry in factbit doesn’t look clay. Neat work!! Xx
Isa A. Blogger
https://www.lifestyleprism.com/
Yeah, it is a bit more difficult than your regular clay, and it can be quite difficult to get the colours just right. Practice makes perfect though, I guess! Glad you like them ๐
Aimsy xoxo
Oh I loved working with polymer clay! I always find it tricky on the baking part, but when sometimes things come out even better than expected, it’s always amazing! Really love the idea of doing earrings with it x
Yeah the baking is the trickiest part, I think (as well as getting the marble look!) I think I need a bit more practice, but it is a great way to use polymer clay, isn’t it?
Thanks for commenting ๐
Aimsy xoxo