how to make polymer clay beads

Tutorial and Giveaway

Tutorial

What is polymer clay?

Polymer clay is a synthetic clay-like material made out of resin, binders, plasticizers and pigments.
To cure polymer clay, you need to bake it in an oven.

Cut the polymer clay into chunks.

Knead the clay in your hands.

For this example, I will be making a pink and green bead.

roll a small amount of each color.

twist the two colors together.

and knead it in your hands a few times until the colors are well blended.

roll into a ball

use a needle or an awl to poke a hole

Make a bunch of these in different sizes, shapes and colors.

Place your beads on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.

Bake it in an oven.

NOTE: Sculpey suggests that you bake it at 275 degrees for 15 minutes.

But, since my oven heats up fast, I alter the suggested time and temperature.

I usually put it in at 250 degrees for 10 minutes and then I turn the oven off 

and leave it in for the remaining 5 minutes. 

It is important to keep an eye on it while it bakes.... 

specially, if you have never worked with this material before.

Once baked, spray or coat the beads with a polymer clay sealer.

GIVEAWAY

Yay, another giveaway.

A lucky reader will get this package of 40 handmade beads.

leave a comment/name.

The winner will be randomly selected on Friday 10/29/2010 by random.org

Enjoy!