Snakeskin Bangle

(Note I used Premo polymer clay for this project. 1 block refers to a 2-ounce pack).
1 block of translucent
5/8 block of translucent sea green polymer clay; I mixed 1/2 block of sea green with 1/8 block of translucent
5/8 block of translucent copper polymer clay; I mixed 1/2 block of copper with 1/8 block of translucent
5/8 block of olive green polymer clay; I mixed 1/4 block of black, 1/4 block of gold with 1/8 block of translucent
5/8 block of chartreuse green polymer clay; I mixed 1/4 block of zinc yellow, 1/8 block of flourescent yellow, 1/8 block of sea green with 1/8 block of translucent

gold leaf
2mm round elastic
wire mesh gutter screen
400- and 600-grit wet/dry sandpaper
super glue
pasta machine
craft knife
tissue blade
acrylic roller
wax paper
needle tool
double-pointed knitting needle
10" bamboo skewer
ruler
clay shaper tool
buffing wheel or soft cloth
round glass jar or can

1. Condition one block of translucent clay and run it through the pasta machine on the #5 setting. Run each of the mixed colors listed above on the #3 setting. Trim the prepared sheets to 2-1/2" x 3" with a tissue blade (Figure A).
2. Place each colored clay sheet on top of a piece of gold leaf. Trim off the excess with a craft knife (Figure B). Flip the sheets over so the gold leaf is on top. Tip: When working with gold leaf, it's wise to leave it in the package for better control. Remember to always place your clay on the leaf, not leaf on your clay.
3. Cut the prepared sheet of translucent clay into four rectangles measuring 2-1/2" x 3" each. Place each translucent sheet on top of the four gold leaf sheets. Stack the sheets on top of each other with the translucent clay facing up.
4. Reduce the stack to 6" x 2-1/2" by pulling, stretching and rolling with an acrylic roller (Figure C). Cut the stack in half with the tissue blade and place one on top of the other with cut edges touching (Figure D).
5. Impress wire mesh (I used Gutter Guard, available at your local hardware store) into the stack with an acrylic roller (Figure E). Carefully remove the wire mesh and set it aside (Figure F).
6. Bow your sharpest, most flexible tissue blade and trim off long, paper-thin slices in a seesaw motion (Figure G). Flip the slices over onto a sheet of wax paper to reveal the pattern. Continue slicing, adding more texture with the screen as necessary. Tip: It is not necessary to slice the entire stack. Slice only the amount you may need for each project and save the rest for another piece.
7. Combine some of the excess clay from the colored sheets in step 1 (the equivalent of 1/2 block) and roll it into a ball. Pierce a hole all the way through the ball with a needle tool.
8. Insert a double-pointed knitting needle into the hole. Form a long tube, or snake, around the needle by rolling and stretching the clay, using even pressure with both hands (Figure H).
9. Select thin slices from step 6 and gently apply them to the snake in random patterns. Overlap and leave open spaces as desired, covering the circumference of the snake (Figure I). Roll the snake to smooth the outer surface, trimming the ends if necessary.
10. Determine the size of your bracelet by wrapping a string or strip of paper around your wrist and adding one inch. Transfer the snake to a bamboo skewer and roll to the desired length. Use a ruler for precise measurement. Trim off the edges with a tissue blade (Figure J).
11. Slide the snake off the bamboo skewer and widen the holes on each end with a clay shaper tool.
12. Attach the ends of the snake to each other and seal the seam gently with your finger (Figure K). Shape the snake into an oval bracelet, making sure the seam is at the widest point. Bake for 30 minutes at 275 degrees; allow to cool.