Project #1: Infinity earrings using ScratchFoam texture plates

My friend Heather found some antique buttons with the infinity symbol on them and wanted the same design on a pair of earrings.

An antique infinity button

So I came up with a couple of ideas on how to do this. Here's the first one--

Using a new technique I heard about from Wanaree Tanner, I used ScratchFoam, which is a styrofoam-like paper that allows you to trace a design in pen or pencil and create a texture plate for metal clay. This is a simple and quick process.

Ten steps to creating an infinity button earring

Step 1: Push the button against the ScratchFoam to create an impression.

Step 2: Trace the impression with a pen or pencil to deepen the impression's lines--make sure you make fairly deep lines so they are defined and crisp.

Step 3: Add background texture by drawing crosshatches.

Step 4: Roll out some metal clay on a small piece of a Ziploc bag--make the clay four playing-cards thick.

Step 5: Flip the metal clay onto the ScratchFoam plate--this means that the bag is now on top of the clay and plate.

Step 6: Push the clay into the plate by rolling over it with an acrylic roller.

Step 7: Trim the edges around the design.

Step 8: Set it out to dry for a few minutes on a mug warmer, or let it dry overnight.

Step 9: Sand and refine details until you are satisfied.

Step 10: Fire it in a kiln for a half-hour