Watercolor Maple Leaf Clay Earrings Tutorial

IN THIS POST

• Introduction to Polymer Clay Watercolor Technique
• Materials Needed
• Video Tutorial
• Instructions
• Tips

Fall is officially here, and what better way to celebrate the season than with some handmade jewelry inspired by beautiful autumn leaves? In this tutorial, we’re diving into the watercolor technique using polymer clay to create stunning maple leaf dangle earrings. The watercolor technique, pioneered by Maggie Maggio in 1998, brings a touch of effortless elegance with its unique 'torn paper' effect, adding depth and captivating visual interest to your designs. Whether you're new to polymer clay or looking to try something new, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process—from mastering the watercolor technique to shaping and assembling these adorable earrings. Let’s bring those fall vibes to life and get crafting!

Materials Needed:

• Polymer clay (White, Black, Copper, Translucent, and Scrap)
• 20 grams: Sculpey Premo White
• 20 grams: Sculpey Premo Black
• 30 grams: Sculpey Premo Gold
• 30 grams: Premo Translucent
• 45 grams: Scrap Clay
• Acrylic paints
• Liquitex
• Raw Sienna
• Cadmium Red
• Cadmium Yellow
• Gold
• Copper and Gold Metal Leaf
• Acrylic rod
• Rockrose Clay Maple Leaf Cutters
• 4 qty. 6mm jump rings
• Gold plated stainless steel ball post w/loop
• Tissue blade
• Pasta Machine (optional - highly recommended)
• Oven (for baking polymer clay)
• Paintbrush (for acrylic paints)
• UV Resin (optional for a glossy finish)
• You can also sand and polish the surface rather than applying resin

Video Tutorial:

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Workspace:

• For best results use a large ceramic tile with a gloss finish
• Preheat your oven according to the polymer clay package instructions (For Sculpey Premo 275°F or 130°C).

2. Condition and Roll the Clay:

• Condition your polymer clay using a pasta machine or by kneading it with your hands until soft and pliable.
• Using a pasta machine, roll out the white and black clay on the thickest setting, the scrap clay on setting #3, the gold clay on setting #5, and the translucent clay on setting #8. On my machine, #0 is the thickest setting, while #9 is the thinnest.

3. Assemble the Clay Slab:

• Place the black clay on your work surface and carefully lay the white clay on top, being mindful to not create too many bubbles.
• Roll the stacked black and white clay through the pasta machine, reducing its thickness one level at a time, until you reach the #5 setting.

4. Painting & Applying Gold Leaf to the Clay Slab:

• Add color to the white surface of the slab with acrylic paints. Use a sweeping motion with the paintbrush for elegant strokes.
• Allow the paint to completely dry before proceeding to the next steps.
• When you're happy with how the paint looks, tear off small shreds of gold and copper leaf and randomly apply them to the clay surface.

5. Apply Translucent Clay:

• Once you're satisfied with the placement of the copper and gold leaf on your clay, carefully layer the thin sheet of translucent clay on top. You may need to gently stretch the translucent sheet by hand to ensure it fully covers the entire surface of the decorated slab.
• Roll with your acrylic rod to set the sheet of clay in place and then roll through your pasta machine to setting #5.

6. Torn Paper Effect:

• Now that our slab is absolutely beautiful we're ready to start tearing it into small pieces.
• Place the torn pieces to the side until you have ripped apart the entire slab.
• Lay the scrap sheet of clay rolled to setting #3 onto your work surface.
• Randomly arrange the torn pieces of the painted slab onto the copper sheet until all pieces have been applied.
• Roll with your acrylic roller to set the pieces in place and then roll through your pasta machine to setting #3.
• Burnish the clay with a piece of paper if the surface is not smooth after rolling through the pasta machine.

7. Apply Gold Clay Backing:

• Lay the gold clay sheet, rolled to setting #5, onto your work surface. If you'd like, you can texture the back for added interest.
• Carefully place the 'torn paper' effect clay slab onto the gold sheet, being mindful to avoid trapping air bubbles.
• Once in place, gently run the layered clay through your pasta machine on setting #5.

8. Create the Leaf Design:

• With our exclusive Rockrose Maple Leaf clay cutters, cut out leaf shapes from the rolled clay. 
• When using a clay cutter, press it gently into the polymer clay until the cutting edge meets the work surface. Wiggle the cutter slightly, then lift to remove the cut piece. To prevent sticking, lightly dust the clay or cutter with cornstarch. Alternatively, you can spray a makeup sponge with Armor-All and dab the cutter before use for a smooth, non-stick cut.
• Smooth out the edges after cutting to reduce sanding after curing.

9. Bake the Clay:

• Follow the polymer clay package instructions for baking. If using Sculpey Premo Clay, bake at 275°F (130°C) for 60 minutes. For the best results, reference the package instructions.

10. Sanding:

• Sand down any rough edges with fine-grit sandpaper. Start with 600 grit and work through to 1000 grit. My preferred sandpaper is Abranet Sanding Mesh.

11. Finish and Glaze (Optional):

• If you prefer a glossy finish, apply a layer of UV resin to the surface of the clay.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application and curing.

12. Drilling Holes & Assembling Earring Findings:

• Drill Holes for Jump Rings: Once your polymer clay pieces are fully baked and cooled, use a small handheld drill or pin vise to carefully drill holes in the top of each piece where you'd like to attach the jump rings. Ensure the holes are large enough to accommodate your jump rings, but not so large that they compromise the integrity of the clay.
• Attach the Jump Rings: Open a jump ring using pliers, gently twist the ends away from each other rather than pulling them apart. Slide the open jump ring through the drilled hole in your clay piece, then twist it back to close securely.
• Add Earring Findings: With your jump rings in place, attach your preferred earring findings (such as hooks, studs, or posts) by sliding them onto the jump ring or using a secondary jump ring if necessary. Make sure everything is tightly secured so the earrings are ready to wear.
• Finishing Touches: Double-check that all connections are secure, and give your earrings a final inspection for any rough edges or fingerprints that need smoothing.

Tips:

• Experiment with Colors: Autumn leaves come in a range of colors, so feel free to experiment with other paint colors of your choosing.
• Test on a Small Piece: If you're unsure about the watercolor technique, test it on a small piece of clay first.

And there you have it—a beautiful pair of fall-inspired maple leaf earrings created with the watercolor technique and carefully assembled with jump rings and findings. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and feel inspired to experiment with these techniques in your own polymer clay projects. Don’t forget to share your creations and tag us on social media; I’d love to see your unique takes on this autumn design! Thanks for crafting with me, and stay tuned for more fun and creative polymer clay projects. Happy creating!