Mix half of the pack of Igloo clay with 1/8 pack of Granite clay until blended, then roll out to about 4mm thickness using an acrylic roller. This will form the base terrazzo slab.#@#Mix the following clays for the terrazzo surface design in separate batches: terra cotta (combine two parts Cowboy with one part Igloo and mix the combination with an equal amount of Pumpkin), light green (Igloo and a tiny bit of Jade), marbled terra cotta (terra cotta mixture + Sahara, White, Translucent), and again, some Granite. Roll each combination into a very thin sheet.#@#This is the part where you get to be creative! Using your fingers, rip off irregular, medium sized pieces from the marbled terra cotta sheet and evenly place over the entire terrazzo base slab, in imitation of the stone look of terrazzo.#@#

With an X-ACTO® knife, cut the thin sheet of terra cotta into very small pieces, varying in shapes, and apply to the slab. Repeat this process with every other clay combination, until the slab is covered to your satisfaction.

TIP: Keep in mind that the entire slab is going to get rolled down to a thinner 2mm thickness, and that the surface design will expand and look larger, so make sure there’s not too much “negative space” between each piece.

#@#Use the acrylic roller to flatten the surface design into the base of the slab, until the entire thing is approximately 2mm thick.#@#Using medium sized and small sized circle cutters, cut out a variety of circles with each. With a clay cutter blade, cut each medium circle into two half circles.#@#Use a thin bead tool to poke holes in each component where jump rings will go: one hole at the top of each small circle, and two holes on the top and bottom of the half circles.#@#Transfer to a clean piece of cardstock in a glass baking dish and bake for at least thirty minutes at 275°F [135° C]. Let cool.#@#

Using two pairs of pliers, open a jump ring by moving the two ends gently away from each other in an up-down direction. Slip the jump ring through the holes on the bottom of the half circle (flat side up) and smaller circle. Use the pliers to securely close the jump ring again.

#@#Thread an eye pin through the bead, which will go on top of the clay components, and bend the straight end of the eye pin at a 90° angle. Using wire clippers, clip the bent eye pin to a length of about 7mm. With round nose pliers, wrap the wire in towards your body to create a loop.#@#Thread a ball earring post onto the loop before closing it all the way.#@#Using another jump ring, connect the bottom of the bead to the flat side of the half circle clay component.#@#

Repeat Steps 9-12 to assemble the second earring.

Share your project photos with #MakeItWithMichaels

Geometric Terrazzo-inspired Earrings

Instructions

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS