Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

callyross — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:08:40 GMT

"I threaded the beads on the thin skewers of my bead baking rack"- doesn't that give the beads the hole they need?

I'm interested in making some polymer clay beads/buttons but don't want to drill holes if i can avoid it.

"clay-dedicated toaster oven"- so i can't use the same toaster oven for food and for polymer clay?

oh so much to learn!

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

jojobean2020 — Sat, 12 May 2012 23:12:14 GMT

When I make Polymer beads I usually make two small indents, one on each side where the holes would go. Bury the beads in baking powder and cure them. I then use a pin vise with different size drill bits to actually make the holes. I don't have to worry about getting the bead out of shape.

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

curlisue — Sat, 12 May 2012 23:00:52 GMT

I just figured out how to use a small hollow stir stick to punch out the holes in the polymer clay beads. Perfect little holes with no excess poking out of the back!

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

whisperonthewind — Sat, 12 May 2012 12:19:54 GMT

I did the toothpick thing, and they looked 'passable' for a first time. I did the knitting needle thing, and they looked a bit better (I used a 0 size knitting needle). But I use a mini electric bead boring tool from Jewelry Supply online, and now I just use the tiny bead pins to bake the beads and use that hole to enlarge with the bead boring tool - I use a drill bit, not the boring bit, which bends after the first bead...!

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

Morag Frew — Sat, 12 May 2012 02:34:58 GMT

Hi Jennifer, I can totally relate to your hesitation over polymer bead making. So many people associate it with kids play dough, but when treated with care and attention to detail, its properties and potential are truly amazing .A quick look at some of the master (mistresses mostly) polymer clay artists work is mind boggling. I work with mixed media and one of the joys of polymer is that I can create exactly the piece I need in exactly the colour I want to complement any other component in the jewellery piece. I love it and keep coming back to it as my favourite medium - relatively inexpensive too, and there is so much help and inspiration available through the various Guilds and tutorials readily available on the net. Thanks for your work on Beading Daily -always interesting. Cheers, Morag Frew

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

shears58 — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:19:47 GMT

I make holes in my beads before I bake them. I use a toothpick and roll it back and forth as I slowly push it though the bead. It works everytime! Goodluck!

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

shears58 — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:17:20 GMT

I make holes in my beads before I bake them. I use a toothpick and slowly roll it back and forth as I push it through the bead gently. It works everytime!

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

CarolW@89 — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:46:42 GMT

When the small metal pins make holes that are too small, I use small wooden skewers that I buy in the supermarket. I also make the holes before curing. Just push the skewer in a little way, then turn it gently as though you are screwing in a light bulb. With your finger at the opposite end of the hole, you can feel where the skewer will poke through and make an adjustment if needed.

www.tetragonia.com

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

jm7448 — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:37:04 GMT

Lots of good suggestions, especially about cooling beads before piercing. I don't refrigerate mine, however. I keep a frozen "cooler pack" (the kind you put in your picnic cooler) at my work table, and just set my beads on top of it for a few minutes.

It's really convenient.

I use a sharp metal tool for piercing, such as a large sewing needle. I hold bead in the palm of my hand, pierce one end, poking until I feel the needle starting to come through the other side. (Careful not to pierce too hard, you don't want to *** yourself). Then I turn bead to the opposite side and pierce with the needle. This will prevent bead from distorting, and also helps to pierce in the correct spot.

And if I am not feeling too precise and careful some days, I create beads that are intentionally odd sized and distorted, making them into "pebbles" of sorts. They are really interesting when strung and you can't really make a mistake!

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

Susan Falkler — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:54:46 GMT

I don't do polymer clay, but seeing your article reminded me of watching the Carol Duvall show years ago. I loved when she had Donna Kato on. I just looked up her website and her work is amazing! I would never wear it, but would love to display as art work.

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

Susan Falkler — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:52:09 GMT

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:41:46 GMT

Thank you so much, these are great tips, ladies! The reason I drilled the holes after I baked them on skewers is because the skewers were so tiny, I was worried that the holes wouldn't be big enough to accommodate a decent-sized wire. But I'll definitely be trying some of these suggestions for my next batch!

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

lamoney36 — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:20:27 GMT

Some good advice already posted. I use a LARGE needle as a drill in the uncured beads. Glitter before curing and PC gloss after finish the beads well although next time I'm going back to decorative artist days and paint cured beads before using gloss.

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

Christine Damm — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:50:59 GMT

Because polymer clay is a fairly benign substance, people don't bother to read about how to condition it and cure it before "diving in". Polymer clay is a true art element and just like beginning to solder or painting with oils or making pottery, you need to read and follow guidelines for safety and learn about the properties of the medium. Any good polymer book-- and there are dozens out there, I have most of them!-- will advise you to pre-heat your toaster oven, test its temperature settings with a thermometer for an accurate reading and cure the clay for at least 15 minutes per 1/4 inch of thickness, regardless of brand. There are lots of clay forums out there and free tutes on Flickr and many blogs so do your homework and I'll bet your clay experience will be a better one.

re: Anyone Can Make Polymer Clay Beads...Right?

11BOLDstreet — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:48:32 GMT

Yes, congratulations on your projects!

I drill 99% of my beads after curing. There is less chance of deforming the beads, as can happen while still soft. Plus, I'm not always sure where I want the holes until I'm ready to actually use a piece.

Also, be sure to bake at the manufacturer's recommended temperature, and for at least 30 minutes per 1/4" of thickness. Polymer needs the temp and time to fully cure. Bake on a tile or piece of cardboard, and tent with tin foil to avoid burning.