04 March 2020

Four-Leaf Clover Earrings Tutorial

It's already March and St. Patrick's day will be here before we know it. Follow this easy tutorial to make four-leaf clover earrings and make sure you don't get pinched this year!

 
Four-Leaf Clover Earrings



What you’ll need:
  • 1/2 pack of green clay
  • Approx. 3" x 3" piece of green foil
  • Small heart-shaped cutter
  • Tissue blade (flexible)
  • Pasta machine
  • Needle point tool
  • Fish hook ear wires x2
  • Split jump rings x2
  • Jewelry pliers

Directions: 

1. Condition 1/2 pack of green clay until soft and roll out sheet of green clay on the #2 pasta machine setting.





2. Place clay on work surface and lightly arrange the foil sheet on top (covering all or most of the clay).




3. Firmly rub the entire area of the foil onto the clay—don't push so hard to distort the clay sheet, but enough to adhere the foil to the clay. Friction and heat are key to making the foil stick.


4. Pick up one corner of the foil and swiftly peel it off the clay.







5. Use the heart-shaped cutter to cut 8 hearts.

6. Remove excess clay from around the hearts.








7. Gently use the flexible tissue blade to release the hearts from the work surface, if needed.


8. Clean up any rough edges on the hearts with a smoothing tool or your finger.



9. Gently, but firmly, press the bottoms (pointed end) of the hearts together—4 per clover. Note: this may take some creativity to adjust them properly to create the clover. Be sure to blend the clay some on the back of each clover to help the hearts stick together.



10. Place the clovers on the work surface again and use the needle point tool to make a hole in the corner of one heart (leaf)—this is where the jump ring will go later.



11. Once all 4 hearts (leaves) are attached and positioned, place both clovers on a baking surface.



12. Bake at 275 F for approximately 20 minutes.

13. When done and cooled, you can embellish your clovers in any way you choose—beads, glitter, rhinestones, etc.—I only used foil on mine.





14. Apply your preferred varnish to seal everything and make the clovers shine.




15. Using the jewelry pliers, attach one jump ring and one fish hook ear wire to each clover.





Be creative and make your four-leaf clovers sparkle. You'll have the luck of the Irish with you throughout St. Patrick's Day!

The original tutorial for these earrings can be found at Makin's Clay blog

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