Creating a gorgeous pair of handmade floral dangle earrings using polymer clay couldn't be easier!
I'm really loving creating jewelry with polymer clay lately, and have been trying to learn all of the different techniques. For example, I just learned how to make realistic flowers using clay, and I had so much fun with it! These Polymer Clay Floral Dangle Earrings turned out better than I ever imagined, and it's a lot easier to do than you'd think. You can make them in any color, and they are the perfect accessory for any occasion. They will add a pop of color to a casual outfit, or will look elegant with something dressier. I hope you get inspired to give this project a try, and I'd love to hear what you think about these earrings in the comments.
To make your own Floral Dangle Earrings, you will need these supplies:
Use a clay roller with 2-3mm thickness rings or line 2 craft sticks parallel to each other with a piece of Berry Sculpey III polymer clay in between. Flatten the clay into a large oval or rectangle.
Cut two circles of clay with a 1cm circle cutter.
Here's a few tricks & tips for cutting clay that have worked for me:
- Dust the cutter with cornstarch or baking powder. Tap to remove the excess before cutting.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap over the clay first, and then cut the clay.
- The clay or workspace might be too warm. Put the clay in the fridge or freezer to cool it down before cutting.
Next, cut 5 sets of petals with the flower petal clay cutter for each earring. The cutter I used has 5 sizes in one cutter, but I only used the 3 largest sizes for these earrings.
Carefully peel away the excess clay and leave the petal pieces in place. It's okay if the edges look a little rough. Just make sure to remove all of the excess clay. You can also remove the two smallest petal sizes from each set.
Because each earring needs 5 sets of large petals, re-roll the clay and cut 5 more sets.
To flatten and add texture to the petals at the same time, use the silicone petal press mold. Place one petal piece on one of the molds, and then place the other mold on top. Press the molds together well. Separate the molds, and the petal is ready to go! You can see the before (right) and after (left) in the image above.
Repeat the process to press each of the petals. Set them aside, keeping the sizes separated.
Each flower will need: 5 large petals, 4 medium petals, and 4 small petals, and one circle piece.
Lay the square open bezels on your baking mat or ceramic tile. Tip the bezels so that they are a diamond shape. Center the circle pieces under the bottom corner of the bezel. To give your flower extra hold, I would recommend adding a thin layer of clay adhesive over the top of the clay circles.
The second layer will use 4 petals. Place them onto the flower the same way, with the pointed end in the center, and arrange them so that they cover the edges of the petals beneath. Press the ends of the petals into the clay with the dotting tool so that they are stuck well to the clay below.
For the top layer, arrange 3 small petals and press them down with the dotting tool. Twist one smaller petal almost like an ice cream cone, and place it in the center. Shape it with the dotting tool until you have the look you want.
Now the flower is complete! Repeat this process for the second flower earring.
Preheat your oven and bake the earring pieces. Most polymer clays are usually baked at 275º for 15 minutes per quarter inch thickness, but refer to your specific clay packaging directions to make sure. Once baked, let the pieces cool completely before handling.
Use pliers to open the bottom of an earring hook for each earring. Hook the bezels through the earring hook and close the rings with the pliers.
The earring hooks can move freely around the bezels, but the weight from the clay will have them dangling correctly. I just love how dainty these earrings are, and how the flowers look so realistic. You can make these earrings in any color you like, and they will coordinate with any outfit - fancy or casual!
Making jewelry out of polymer clay is a lot of fun, and so easy! I would love to hear what you think about these stunning Polymer Clay Floral Dangle Earrings and who you would want to share some with! As always, I would love to see your creations! Tag me on Instagram and Facebook, and leave a comment or photo on my project pin! #AFMcrafts
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