How To Make Polymer Clay Earrings

Polymer clay earrings are becoming hugely popular within the jewellery making world and we're so excited to team up with a talented jeweller to show you how to make your own!

They are a beautiful and affordable way to make your own jewellery and gives you the chance to get creative with materials and designs.

In this beginner-friendly step by step video and photo tutorial, guest tutor and designer, Polly from CANDID walks you through how to make your own polymer clay earrings.

Covering a range of techniques, from conditioning, sculpting to baking polymer clay. You’ll also learn the additional skills of how to add pins onto beads to make charms and how to put them all together using jump rings to create some elegant and unique earrings.

Although we don't stock polymer clay at Kernowcraft, we do stock a range of findings to complete your designs - plus lots of beautiful gemstone beads you can feature.

Share your polymer clay designs with us on social media and tag @kernowcraft & @candid_clay for a chance to feature!

1. Cut, Knead & Roll

To begin, cut about a quarter of the clay from the block and set the rest aside. Using a rolling pin, roll the cay out and then fold it, then roll it again. Keep repeating this process, kneading the clay until the texture changes from cracked and dry, to supple and flexible. If you have a pasta machine, I recommend using it here and repeatedly folding and passing the clay through the machine on the thickest setting. Little tip: always put the clay in the pasta machine fold-side down to avoid air bubbles.

Once you’re happy with the conditioning of your clay, use your rolling pin to flatten the clay into a slab that’s about 2-3mm in depth. If you have a pasta machine then I recommend rolling it through on the thickest or second thickest setting.

2. Cut Desired Shape

Using your rolling pin, make sure your slab is slightly stuck to the surface you’re working on.

Using a clay cutter (you can also use a lid, shot glass or whatever you like to cut your desired shape) firmly press the cutting edge down into your slab, being careful not to poke the clay with your fingers.

Then carefully pull the cutter back out, and repeat.

3. Prepare For Baking

Take one of your ceramic tiles and place a piece of cardstock or computer paper on the top. Then, using your tissue blade almost parallel to your work surface, gently slide the blade under the raw clay pieces to free them from the surface.

If you don’t have a rotary tool, then at this stage using a needle or cocktail stick, carefully push through the clay to make holes for your jump rings. You need two holes, one at the top and one at the bottom of the clay piece. Please wait until step 7 to drill your holes if you have a rotary tool!

4. Bake

Use your fingers to clean up any rough edges and place the clay pieces onto the paper. Place the second piece of paper on top, followed by the second tile, smooth side down.

Pop in the oven for one hour I recommend using an oven thermometer to ensure the temperature is accurate.

5. Make Pearl Charms

While your clay bakes, let’s make your charms! Take a flat-head headpin and thread the wire through your pearl or chosen bead. Then, using round nose pliers, start bending the free end of wire into a hook as close to the bead as you can. Use your side cutters to cut the excess wire off the headpin. Then continue to twist the wire around with your pliers until you form a secure loop. Repeat on both beads.

Alternative Option: Wire Wrap Your Headpin

You can keep it simple by using a loop/hook which can be easily opened and closed as featured in this project. If you would like to add extra security to your piece as well as a decorative element, instead of cutting the headpin at the loop, you can use the excess wire to wrap it around the stem of the wire. This will depend on the type of headpin you're using, some may be too hard to wrap.

Read more: How To Wire Wrap A Bead With A Headpin

6. Cool & Sand

Once your earrings are done baking, let them cool COMPLETELY. The clay remains in a semi-soft state until cooled. If you’re impatient, add them to an ice bath and you can dry them off and use them instantly. If you want to sand your earrings, now is the time - I'm using wet and dry sanding sheets in this project. Take a look on Youtube for detailed sanding tutorials if you’d like to do this step, but it’s not essential!

7. Drill Holes

If you didn’t add your jump ring holes while the clay was soft, use a rotary tool such as the Dremel 4000 Multi Tool with twist drill bit on a chopping board to do this now. You need two holes in the clay piece, one at the top and one at the bottom.

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About the maker, Polly from CANDID

I’m Polly, the owner and maker behind CANDID. This little venture was born from a desire to use my artistic passion and crafting skills to create wearable art that is eclectic, stylish and affordable.

Each piece is meticulously designed and slow-made with high quality artistry, while still embracing the candidness and raw individuality of homemade design (which, if you hadn’t guessed, is where my brand name comes from). The result? Perfectly imperfect jewellery, accessible for people from all walks of life.

My products are all thoughtfully handcrafted at my studio in Cornwall, UK. I design, mix, sculpt, bake, sand and package every piece by hand with the utmost love and care. I find inspiration in everything and anything: from interior design and fashion trends, to nature and the rugged Cornish coast.

CANDID has given me a creative outlet and a purpose that I never expected it would, and nothing makes me happier than packing up an order and sending it off to its new home.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

HAVE A QUESTION?

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team who will be more than happy to give you advice over email or on the phone.

You can learn more and find inspiration by visiting our Jewellery Making Tutorials, Jewellery Making Kits and YouTube Channel. Don't forget to follow us on social media and tag us in your designs on Instagram & Facebook, we would love to see!