How to Make Beads From Flour and Water

This is a terrific craft project for the entire family. Kids can help mix and knead the dough, while grown-ups manage the oven and the baking process. The whole family can enjoy painting and stringing the beads to create one-of-a-kind jewelry for themselves, family and friends.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• 4 cups flour
• 1 cup table salt
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• Acrylic paints
• Paint brushes
• Large sewing needle or a round toothpick

1. Assemble and measure all the ingredients. Read through the instructions before beginning. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
2. Combine flour with salt in a large mixing bowl. Add cold water and mix well.
3. Knead the dough for 15 minutes or so. Check the dough for flexibility and elasticity to know when it's ready to be shaped into beads.
4. Pull off small pieces of dough and shape them into beads. Create beads that are round, square, oval, elongated or flat. Be creative. Use a large sewing needle and make a hole in the center of each bead (for stringing).
5. Place the beads on a parchment-lined cookie sheets. Bake in the oven for 2 to 3 hours. Check the beads regularly after 2 hours. The beads are finished when they are completely dry and hard to the touch. Remove the beads from the oven and move to a cooling rack.
6. Use acrylic paints to decorate the beads. Let the paint dry between coats. Add stripes, dots, geometric shapes and even small scenes. Finish with a coat of lacquer in matte or glossy.
7. String the beads on fishing line, leather or silk cords or elastic. Add the necessary jewelry findings.