How to Make Polymer Clay Beads

I love to make rather large polymer clay beads but the bigger the bead, the heavier the weight, which is no good for jewelry. I decided using a wood "filler" bead might help cut down the weight. Turns out it did and it also cut down my expenses b/c I wasn't using nearly as much clay! And that translated to selling the beads at a better price as well! Everyone wins! :D

Here's how I make inexpensive and light-weight polymer beads...

Step 1 What you'll need.

-Pre-made Cane
-Tissue Blade
-Knitting Needle or Exacto-Knife or Stylus
-Wax Paper
-Liquid Polymer Clay (preferable)
-Wood Beads (size is up to you)

If you don't have a "pre-made cane", look for an instructable on "how to make a polymer clay cane". I'll probably have one out in a couple of hours. ;)

Comments

[maddymooskie]

where did you get your pre made cane?

[thickneckarts]

I don't buy premade canes.

[maddymooskie]

how much do you pay for a cane of pre made cane

[thickneckarts]

I don't buy pre-made canes. I make all of my own canes.

[WeaveKiller]

You can bake the beads on a nice little "nest" of Polyfill. (It won't melt.)

[NaturalCrafter]

Do you mean the same poly fill used for quilts and pillows or something else. That seems too easy.

[popnicute]

yes, it should be the same polyfill for bedding stuff. i bought the thick sheet ones and cut to fit my oven. it helps baking things that are not beads. it helps to keep your creations' shape really well. polyfill doesn't leave any marks on the baked clay.

[NaturalCrafter]

Thanks about the beads..I just had to see what other things you are making. Fun stuff!

[BrutalMastodon]

Have you tried using 6mm airsoft bbs for small beads? you can buy like 5000 for $10 or so, depending where you look.

[craftymama11]

HI, IM NEW AT THE CLAY BEADING THING I HAVE A QUESTION.... HOW STRONG IS POLYMER CLAY AND CAN IT GET WET?                              

[thickneckarts]

Polymer clay is basically a mixture of clay and polymer (also used in plastics) so it's pretty durable. However, it is not indestructible and the thinner it is, the less durable it is, just like earth-clay. It can get wet, in fact, to get rid of fingerprints and other unwanted marks, you can use a fine grade sandpaper with some water to buff them right out! :D

[Sweet2Spicy]

Polymer clay is not a mixture of "clay and polymer". 

Polymer clay is made up of fine particles of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) suspended in plasticizer.  It is a completely synthetic compound.

 

[thickneckarts]

Thanks for clearing that up :) I should've looked it up before but was too lazy. Fail.

[Sweet2Spicy]

Unfortunately your information in Step 7 above about the baking temperature for polymer clay is not correct. 

You state, "Most polymer clays bake for 10 mins at around 200 degrees" ....

There is NO major brand of polymer clay that bakes at a 200 degree temperature.  This is far TOO LOW and will result in a weak and brittle product that breaks easily. 
When polymer clay is baked at the proper temperature (normally between 250 to 300 degrees depending on brand) you get a strong, long-lasting product.

You are correct however in directing folks to read the instructions on the clay package.

[thickneckarts]

I bake my beads at around 210F and have not had a problem with brittleness.

[Sweet2Spicy]

I've never head of clay that bakes at only 210 degrees - that's way too low to bake out all the plasticizer and give a hard, strong product.

Here are the correct baking times for the top brands of polymer clay:

PREMO = 275 degree (for 30 mins each 1/4" of thickness - i.e. 1/2" thick equals 1 hour)

FIMO = 265 degrees

SCULPEY = 275 degrees

KATO = 300 degrees

Hope this helps.

Take care and happy claying.
 

[sassy111]

Everytime I cook my polymer clay for this long by beads have a tendency to burn. I have to cook my beads at 265 for 15 minutes no longer. They start turning brown

[Sweet2Spicy]

Are you cooking them in a small toaster oven? ... close to the heating elements?

Clay does not burn at 265 degrees unless you've got it right by the heating element. If you "tent" the clay with aluminum foil, this may help.

It sounds like you are doing something unusual here ... 265 is a very safe temperature even if you bake for 40 minutes (like I always do).

[Lettucehead]

 Yes! I have been trying to find instructions on these FOREVER!!! Yay!!!

[beadydani]

Very carefully explained tut, better than all the ones I have come across. I like the way you explain every step and why it is important to get it right.

I may give it another (had two failed attempts) try at some point but right now I am so busy with other aspects of jewellery making.

Thanks for sharing.

[thickneckarts]

Thanks :D Good luck with your next try!

[lotusduck]

 I have also heard that you can roll up dissolving starch packing peanuts to make a completely hollow bead, or a nearly hollow bead with a little something to roll around in there.

[Kalaus]

An even better alternative to wood beads is kitchen foil -- cut or tear it into approximately equal pieces, crumple and roll tightly into balls. Practice to see what size works better for you. Don't forget to make holes (use a needle or a toothpick) before they are covered with clay -- poking a hole through tightly rolled foil is not as easy as it may seem, you will need to hold it very firmly between your fingers.

[bassclarinet23]

Could you roll your own little ball and poke a hole through it, then bake it?

[thickneckarts]

Absolutely. But check out my intro.

[bassclarinet23]

Okay. They're very professional looking.

[thickneckarts]

Thanks! Unfortunately, this set didn't work as well as usual, but practice make perfect! :D

[suzettefsy]

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS DEMO, I'VE REALLY LEARNED A LOT FROM THIS =)

[KJS]

Looks nice :) Since the liquid polymer clay is only preferable, does that mean that it will work without it?

[thickneckarts]

You can, but the clay may not stick to the wood as well. If you're not using liquid polymer clay, try scoring the wood first so the clay will stick better. Experimenting is the best way to know. :)

[KJS]

Okay, thanks :) I'll try that.

[Bard]

Have you ever attempted to clear coat one of these things to see how it turns out?

[thickneckarts]

Absolutely. There's a type of resin that works well. I use a jewelry clear coat which works well. I don't recommend Sculpey brand coating. It peels easily. I find the look of the bead determines whether it should have a clear coat.

[thickneckarts]

Thanks :D

[ChrysN]

Wow, those look neat!

[fwjs28]

oooooo...pretty!