1
Step
Condition your hot-pink and neon-yellow polymer clay until smooth and pliable. FIMO Professional is highly recommended for this design because its firm texture preserves the sharp, pixelated edges during cutting and handling. Roll both colors through a pasta machine to a consistent thickness of 2 mm.
2
Step
Prepare a pixelated butterfly template on grid paper. Lightly dust the neon-yellow clay sheet with cornstarch or talcum powder as a release agent, then use a sharp craft knife to cut out two yellow butterfly bases, carefully following the stepped staircase pattern.
3
Step
Trim your paper template down by 1.5 mm along the outer edges to create the inset wing pattern. Lightly dust the hot-pink clay sheet with your release agent, then cut out four pink wing pieces (two left and two right) using your craft knife.
4
Step
Wipe the raw contact surfaces of the yellow bases and the backs of the pink wings with a damp cotton swab to remove any residual release powder. Carefully align and press the pink wings onto the yellow bases, leaving a neat yellow border and a central vertical body strip visible. Press gently to ensure a secure raw-to-raw bond.
5
Step
Use a 1.5 mm needle tool or drill bit to pierce a clean hole through the top center of the yellow body strip, keeping it at least 2 mm below the top edge to ensure structural integrity.
6
Step
Bake the pieces flat on a ceramic tile according to the clay manufacturer instructions. Once fully cooled, apply a compatible water-based polyurethane glaze like Varathane or a coat of UV resin to get that glassy, arcade-sign shine. Avoid solvent-based glazes or aerosol sprays, which will make the clay sticky over time. Clean your metal findings with rubbing alcohol, then use pliers to connect a silver jump ring through the pierced hole, attach a short silver chain, and secure it to a silver fishhook ear wire.