How to Put Holes in Round Polymer Clay Beads

If you have ever thought of making your own jewelry, polymer clay could be the medium to use. The clay is relatively inexpensive and easy to work with. The following will show you how to put holes in round polymer clay beads.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Polymer clay
• Tri-bead roller
• Nail or corn holder

1. Create your beads with a device called a tri-bead roller or roll them out by hand. The tri-bead roller is faster and shapes the beads more uniformly. Purchase this device online or find them in many crafts stores.

2. Select a tool, such as a nail or a corn holder, to poke a hole into the round clay balls. If using a corn holder with two prongs, bend back one of the prongs and use just one to make your hole.

3. Examine the bead to find a good place to make the hole. You will alter the shape of the bead when you push out the clay to make the hole. Consider this when choosing the spot so that you keep the bead as round as possible.

4. Poke the tool into the middle of the bead.

5. Twist the tool back and forth while gently pushing into the clay until it pokes all the way through. Twirl the clay ball on the tool once it is all the way through to make the hole clean.

6. Remove the tool from the clay and set the bead to the side until it is ready to thread.

Tips & Warnings

• With a tri-bead roller you can make your beads shaped like ovals, rounds or diamonds.
• Add a dab of olive oil to your tool if the clay begins sticking to it or if you find your holes aren't as clean as you want them.