Working with polymer clay to craft beads for jewelry making is a fun and creative hobby. Polymer clay beads can be individually hand-shaped into countless styles and baked durable for long-lasting pieces. Here are the basic steps to start making beads with polymer clay.
Getting Started:
A Polymer Clay Bead Making Kit is the perfect starter pack. It will include popular brands like Sculpey or Fimo clay in an array of colors, plastic bead reamers or shaping tools, baking sheets and more. Having all the core supplies together takes the guesswork out of getting set up. You’ll also want basic accents like glitters, pigments, miniature molds and find for future techniques.
Conditioning the Clay:
To make clay pliable, begin by kneading and rolling it vigorously between your hands for several minutes until soft, elastic and workable. This distributes any slip agents and oils evenly. Over-conditioning risks weakening the clay so stop when it’s smooth and pliable. Air-dry clays like Sculpey don’t require conditioning.
Rolling Snakes:
Break off balls of clay in various colors and roll each on a flat surface into “snakes” - cylindrical strips about 1⁄4 inch thick. Use your hands or clay rolling guides. Snakes can be used as is to make oval beads or cut into round beads.
Cutting Rounds:
For round beads, cut 1⁄4 inch segments from snakes using a sharp blade, wire cutters or clay cutters. Seal edges by lightly pinching with your fingernail. You can also shape ovals by squeezing snakes gently.
Adding Holes:
Insert a bead reamer, needle tool or brass tube into each bead from one side, pushing it through and out the other to create a hollow center. Holes will be bestrung later on threads or cords once beads are baked.
Finishing Details:
Embellish plain rounds further by indenting loops, stripes or textures with small wood shaping tools before firing. You can also insert findings like eye pins in holes for dangling beads.
Bake and Polish:
Place beads 1⁄2 inch apart on a greased baking sheet and bake as directed by clay type, usually 15-30 minutes at low temperature (265F). Cool, then lightly sand any irregular edges with fine grit sandpaper for a smooth polish.
With practice, you’ll gain skills like working smaller clay particles, blending colors, adding crystal accents and molding creative shapes. Experiment and have fun crafting unique polymer clay beads to string into jewelry or use in other art. Soon your beads will be showcased in handmade pieces for gifts or the home.