How to Make Polymer Clay Beads

Step 7 Bake.

Most polymer clays bake for 10 mins at around 200 degrees in a conventional oven, but it's important that you read the directions on your polymer clay packaging.

For the bead to keep it's shape, it has to be suspended when baked. You can buy kits for this but I use knitting needles and a baking pan.

"Thread" your beads on the knitting needles and then place the needles so they stretch from edge to edge of the pan.

Be careful when putting them in the oven so as not to rock the pan and them roll away!

After the bead has cooled, you can sand it down to be as smooth as possible using a fine-grit sandpaper.

Good Luck!

http://thickneckarts.etsy.com

Comments

[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.

[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!