Inked Polymer Clay Butterfly Earrings on Handmade Earwires

Inked Butterfly Earrings “New techniques in this wonderful world of polymer clay and it’s endless ability to become whatever your heart desires.” ~Lynn-W

These Inked Butterfly Earrings are made with a surface technique that combines an ultra thin sheet of translucent polymer clay, some permanent ink, a Teardrop Blend and patterned rubber stamps. The project also involves baking on a light bulb, some handmade earwires and shape cutters.

The technique is a good example of how ideas just came to me when I spend time playing with my clay. It’s also one that I have a feeling has probably been done before, although I have not yet seen it anywhere.

But no matter where the idea originates, I absolutely love how these butterfly earrings flutter at the end of their wires when you wear them.

This polymer clay surface technique can be used for almost any polymer clay project where you would use a sheet of patterned clay, such as pendants, earrings and focal beads.

I would be happy to create a video tutorial about this if there are enough of you that express an interest. You know what to do… cast your votes in comment section below.

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  1. Elizabeth S., 28 January, 2010

    There goes that genius creative brain of yours again! Oh how I wish playing with my polymer clay would result in something like this. TUT PLEASE!!!!

  2. Rose, 28 January, 2010

    I’d love to make earrings similar to these, so am voting yes to the technique.

  3. Lisa Whitham, 28 January, 2010

    I like the butterflies! I vote yes for the butterfly earrings and the different styles of earwires too… I like the idea of making my own earwires in copper.

    ~Lisa :)

  4. Bonnie, 28 January, 2010

    Dearest Cindy, please TUT those ASAP. I am a butterfly girl, oh, and a shoe girl, oh and a cat girl, blah, blah,blah. I love those earrings. You are incredible. They are beautiful.

    I’ll be waiting with my butterfly cutters in hand till you TUT that. Please hurry.

  5. Lupe Meter, 28 January, 2010

    Absolutely love these earrings! I am with Bonnie, please TUT those ASAP!

  6. Maureen, 28 January, 2010

    Love them! They’re adorable! Yes, would love to see the tutorial for these.

  7. aims, 28 January, 2010

    Count me in! My room is half done so I’m almost ready to leap back in!

  8. Sue, 28 January, 2010

    I’d certainly be interested in this surface technique! :)

    The end result is quite striking and it sounds versatile enough to cater for all tastes from classically feminine to bold and modern.

    I really like the different earwire shape too. My absolute favourite earwire is actually almost the exact opposite of the one in the photo above — straight in front of the ear and curved behind it — but I’m a big fan of most V-shaped earwire versions. They work really well when you thread the beads directly onto the front wire and hammer the end to keep them in place too!

  9. cara letho, 28 January, 2010

    it’s a yes from me- many thanks-cara

  10. DJ, 28 January, 2010

    Love the patterns and finish on these…another yes vote!

  11. Carrie, 29 January, 2010

    Yes! Those are so pretty!

  12. Elizabeth K., 29 January, 2010

    Hi Cindy and all. Love those Inked butterfly earings and cant wait til you put the video in here.
    I am a butterfly gal too and was just deciding to try to do some B/F earings so this is timely. March on Cindy the Army is at your command!! LOl
    Love
    Elizabeth K.

  13. judy, 29 January, 2010

    Cindy,
    I would love to learn how to make inked polymer clay earrings. so my vote is yes . thanks.

  14. Carole Holt, 29 January, 2010

    yes please i also would like a tut on these fabulous earings

  15. Beverly L, 29 January, 2010

    I love the inked butterfly earrings and would love a video on them. Thanks for all the great tips and ideas. I also really want to thank you for your generosity in promoting other artists. I look forward to Fridays to see what new project you’ve thought up for us. Thanks!

  16. Ella Moore, 29 January, 2010

    Love those earings, Please do a tut on them
    always
    Elly M

  17. Cheryl, 29 January, 2010

    Cindy, I love butterflies- they make me happy! They’re so delicate and colorful. I paint them with inks so yes, definitely, I would love to be able to do them in polymer clay.

  18. Phaedrakat, 29 January, 2010

    These are super cute earrings! I love the butterflies, and I love the cool earwires! I love how earrings like this hang on my ears–I’ll bet they really do feel light and airy. As far as sales go, these would stand out from others in a shop. I would need to get my hands on some cutters like that, though. Unless there’s a trick I could use with one of my other cutters?

  19. Zarah, 30 January, 2010

    Oh you made your own ear wires too, they turned out great!

  20. Denise, 30 January, 2010

    my hand is up, too. Please, thank you.
    – did you use a butterfly cutter and the plastic over it technique to get that lovely bevel? In any case they are lovely

  21. Phaedrakat, 31 January, 2010

    Kemper cutters has a lilac set that looks like it might work for this technique… I don’t have the set, but I remember seeing them when I was looking for some tiny cutters. I can’t afford to buy any right now, but it sure would be cool to have every shape & size. Oh, to dream…

  22. Cindy Lietz, 31 January, 2010

    Thanks so much everyone for your interest! Because of this I have decided to bump this tutorial up and include it in the February lineup. See link by my name for details.

    The cutter I used is not technically a butterfly, it is just a four cornered star or four petaled flower, however you want to see it. I think it is a Makin’s cutter. If you have a small butterfly you can use that, or any other shape you like. Ovals, circles and squares also look lovely with this technique, so don’t despair if you don’t have a butterfly shape cutter. As far as the details bout the rest of the technique, you guys will have to wait for the video! It won’t be long now :-)

  23. Peggy Barnes, 31 January, 2010

    I also would love to learn this ink technique on the butterfly earrings. Cindy your colors and your ideas all are grand slam good. Count me in for a big 200% YES!!!!

  24. sam miller, 01 February, 2010

    Three comments…YES ..YES..YES. Thanks for bumping it up too. That is the earwire shape that I absolutely love. You rock.

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