Maria’s Faux Opals: Free Polymer Clay Tutorial
Make glowing faux opals with translucent clay, iridescent film, and irregular flashes of color inspired by Australian opal.
Materials and tools
- Translucent, black, orange, blue, and white polymer clay
- Liquid translucent clay
- Chameleon flakes
- Iridescent film
- UV resin
- The usual tools
- White or colored polymer clay for the base
- Very thin translucent polymer clay
- Translucent liquid polymer clay
- Iridescent transparent gift-wrap film
- Irregular iridescent flake glitter
- Shape cutter
- Plastic wrap or deli sheet
- Ice water
- UV resin, optional
Technique overview
Cut a clay base, add liquid clay and crumpled iridescent film, then sprinkle on irregular chameleon flakes. Cover everything with a very thin translucent-clay layer (optional), shape the edges, and cure. A UV-resin coat intensifies the sparkle.
Process photographs
Crumpled film and iridescent flakes samples
Opal translucent clay base topped with liquid clay
quality control officer
Optional thin translucent layer for a milky opal
Cut opal cabochon shapes with plastic wrap
Polymer Clay Opals!
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