Things You'll Need:
- Oval-shaped polymer bead
- Needle or poker for polymer
- Small dish of water
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Step 1
Cool the oval beads to room temperature after shaping. Let the freshly made beads sit for 30 minutes so that they will be easier to work with.
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Step 2
Dip the end of the needle or poker in the dish of water. Just get the tip wet so that it doesn't pull the polymer in the bead or have the clay stick to the metal.
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Step 3
Hold the bead gently but firmly between your fingers. Apply enough pressure to keep the bead from shooting out from between your fingers, but don't apply so much pressure that you distort the bead.
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Step 4
Put the tip of the needle to one of the long ends of your oval bead and twist the needle gently. Don't push the needle through the polymer on oval beads because they can warp easily and end up lopsided.
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Step 5
Continue twisting the needle, working it slowly through the bead. If it becomes difficult to move the needle through the polymer, remove the needle or poker and dip it in water again. This will keep the metal from sticking to the polymer inside the oval bead. Twist the needle through again to finish your bead.
