How to Make Polymer Clay Beads

What is a Polymer Clay?

The Polymer clay is a sculptable substantial that is grounded on the polymer polyvinyl chloride or the PVC. Typically it comprises no minerals of clay and it is the lone termed clay for the reason that its working properties and texture look like those of clay mineral. Polymer clays contain all a foundation of PVC and more of numerous kinds of melted plasticizer.Dyes may be supplemented to the glowing base to generate a diversity of colors alongside with minor quantities of kaolin or the china white clay or the other piquing ingredient in which opaqueness is wanted. The Mica may also be added in order to mimic metallic and pearlescent possessions.

A bead is a slight, enhancing thing that is typically stabbed for stringing or threading. Beads are range in their size from below 1 millimetre or 0.039 in to above 1 centimetre or 0.39 in in diameter. Pair of beads are made from snail shells of Nassarius sea, which is roughly 100,000 years old, they are thought as the earliest example of jewelry. Bead work is the craft or art of creating things with the use of beads. Beads can also be interlaced together with a particular thread, which is threaded onto soft or thread, adhered or flexible wire into a surface some examples are clay and fabric.

When starting to generate polymer clay beads, you will find yourself being artistic or creative. Mixing different colors together can create great color combination, you can try also different shapes or animals in you beads.

Needed Tools:

• Polymer Clay- Examples of polymer brands: Sculpey, Fimo, Premo.
• Needle -The size will depend on the hole and the wire or string that you are using
• Baking Tray – for baking of the beads
• Glaze/Varnish optional, you varnish or leave the clay unvarnished, this gives durability and shines the clay.

Making the Beads

Measuring tape can be used in order to have same size with the other beads, because when you first make one, some of them will not in the size, do not be discourage, try to generate a new one. Select one or more colors of the clay that is to be used. Cut off a slight portion then work until the clay is soft by the use of your hands. Roll it into to form a ball. Then continue until you will have the number of beads that you needed.

Hole Making

To create the hole, grip your bead and then mildly create a hole in a one side, do not go all through the way for the reason it will misshape the bead. Change to the other side and do the same thing in order to create a nice hole.

Bake the Beads

Once the hole is already made, place the clay or bead on the baking tray place to the oven when it is already been set. Check the time and temperature, the brand of the clay may differ. Make sure the room is properly ventilated. When it is done baking, allow it to cool down the beads completely and then you can start varnishing to shine and make it last longer.

Some Tips in making the beads:

• Coat the bead pins with the water or use cornstarch prior to insertion.
• Rotation the bead pin when you push it to the bead.
• Push the bead pin to the clay lightly in order to evade alteration.
• Coat fingers or wear gloves with cornstarch this is to avoid placing your fingers prints some of the beads when you are piercing. This is important when you are holding difficult shapes
• Allow the beads to cool down or let it rest before you pierce it. A warm bead is easy to be distorted.
• Sand the bead pins after every use, this is to remove the drips and dust and to finish it from the pins. A smooth pin that goes to the beads is easy than to pin that is rough.
• Pierce the bead comparatively after allowing it to rest. If you make it after few day, it will make the bead crack when you try to pierce it. Then, Wipe down the bead pins with a rubbing alcohol this is to make sure that the pins are clean.
• If you are using a bamboo spike to pin the bead, you must ensure that you are using a cornstarch this is to avoid the bamboo spike to stick.
• For some big holes of the beads, you can try using a needing used for knitting.