“Faux Opal” liquid polymer clay tutorial by Marilynn Ordoñez

In this polymer clay tutorial by Marilynn Ordoñez, you will learn how to create faux opal effect using Glassymer Gel (Transparent) by Lucy Clay.

About the author:

MARILYNN ORDONEZ

Born and raised in Puerto Rico , Marilynn always loves sea life and the amazing colors of the rainforest. She has carried these images into her polymer clay jewelry. Follow Marilynn on Instagram. Contact or give feedback feedback at Marilynnsjewels@gmail.com.

Opals are my favorite gemstone! I’m always trying to find better ways to make faux opals with polymer clay, resin, and other mediums. I have tried making faux opals with other liquid clays, but they were never as clear as I wanted. So, I recently tried to make opals using Lucy Clay‘s Glassymer. This is the only liquid clay that layer after layer cured totally clear. It’s amazing and I’ve been making so many faux opals using it! There’s a lot of waiting time in this tutorial, but it’s not difficult, meaning even polymer clay beginners can give it a try.

Now, let’s do some magic!

Tools & Materials

• Pasta machine
• Blade
• Nail scissors
• Exacto knife
• Silicone wing mold (heat resistant)
• Small brush
• Small plastic cup
• Wooden stick
• Lucy Clay Glassymer
• Iridescent flakes
• Glitter (different sizes and colors, for dimension, iridescent and holographic glitters work best)
• Translucent polymer clay
• Earring posts

Instructions

3. In the small cup, pour about ½ an ounce of LC Glassymer

i. The amount depends on the size of your wing mold.

4. Add iridescent flakes and glitter to the liquid clay; stir it together

i. The ratio should be 1-part Glassymer to 3/4-part glitter and flakes.

5. Fill your wing mold half way with the liquid clay mixture.

6. Cure in the oven for 30 min at 284° F (140° C)

7. After curing, let cool for 15 min

8. Add the rest of your liquid clay mixture into the molds until they are almost full

i. You can add some colored glitter on top to have some color show through the wings.

9. Cure in the oven for 30 min at 284° F (140° C)

10. While wings are in oven condition your translucent clay

11. Put it through the pasta machine to make a clay sheet about 3 playing cards thick

i. This is 5 or 6 on most pasta machines

12. After the clay is cured for the second time, let the mold and clay cool completely (~ an hour)

13. Remove the wings carefully from the mold

14. With nail scissors go around the edges and trim any excess clay

15. Lay the wings on top of your translucent clay sheet, smooth side down. 

16. With your Exacto knife, cut around the wings to create the back of the wing

17. Peel the translucent clay piece off the back of the wings and set aside

18. Brush Glassymer over the back of the wings and place the earring post near the top of the wing

19. Carefully place the translucent clay sheet on top of the wing, pressing the post through the clay

20. Place each wing on the baking tile upsides down.

21. Cure in the oven for 45 min at 284° F (140° C)

22. Let it cool completely before removing them from mold.

23. Take them out and check that the edges are even and smooth

i. If the edges are not smooth, use your Dremel at a low speed with fine grit to smooth the edges (a fine-grit sandpaper or nail file works too)

You’re done! Your glittery, Angel Wing earrings are ready to wear!