Multi-colored Checkerboard Slab Tutorial

This month, we'll show you how to make this easy checkerboard slab that's perfect for any project!

This easy-to-make checkerboard slab can be created using any colors you choose and it's perfect for jewelry or any other polymer clay project.

What you'll need:

• Clay machine 
• Tissue blade (the rigid one)
• Ruler (or other measuring tool such as the Marxit)
• 1/4 pack navy clay
• 1/4 pack peacock pearl clay
  
• 1/4 pack 18k gold clay
• Acrylic roller
  

 

Directions:

1. Condition all colors of clay with your clay machine. Choose which thickness you prefer—we used the second thickest setting on the machine. 

 

2. Using your ruler or other guide, clean the edges of your conditioned clay so all the edges are straight (this could be in a square or rectangle shape).

 

 

3. Using your ruler or Marxit tool, gently score one edge of each color of clay to help guide your cuts. In this demo, we used the 5mm side of the Marxit tool.

4. Decide what pattern you'd like your clay to go in—we chose gold, peacock pearl, and navy.

 

5. Cutting on the scored marks, carefully slice one strip of your first color with the rigid tissue blade and place it horizontally on your work surface.

6. Next, choose another color and carefully slice one strip of clay and place it on your work surface right up against your first color.

7. Repeat this process with all colors until you have run out of clay.

 

 8.  With your acrylic roller, gently roll over your slab of clay helping to ensure all the strips are adhered together.

9. Turn your slab of clay so the strips are now vertically facing you.

 

 

 

10.  Using your ruler or Marxit tool, gently score one edge of the clay slab to help guide your cuts. You'll want to use the same measurement in this step as you did in step 3.

 

 

 

 

11. Cut the first strip from the bottom of the slab at the score mark and then place it at the top of your clay slab. Be sure to shift your clay to one side so that the colors don't match up. 

 

12. Continue cutting on the score marks from the bottom of the slab and place them at the top of your slab—alternating your strips to ensure your colors don't line up.

 

 

13.  With your acrylic roller, gently roll over your slab of clay helping to ensure all the strips are adhered together.

 

 

At this point, you can use your checkerboard slab for jewelry or any other project!