How to Make Square Clay Beads

Making jewelry is a great way to take your mind off everyday problems and menial tasks. It is a wonderful creative outlet that can impact other areas of your life, as your mind becomes sharper and more in tune with nature. While it is easy to go to the store and purchase beads, it is much more satisfying to create your own out of polymer clay. Here is how to make square clay beads.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Polymer clay (such as Fimo or Sculpey)
• Clay knife
• Toothpick or clay bead hole tool
• Ruler
• Sandpaper (light grade)
• Sculpey glaze

1. Condition the polymer clay. You can do this by kneading it in your palm or by running it through a pasta machine a few times. This not only helps to soften the clay to make it easier to work with but also helps to get any air bubbles out of it.

2. Roll out the clay into the shape of a log. Lay the ruler along the clay log and score the log evenly. For example, make a mark every inch or so. Use the clay knife to cut the log at each score so you will have a number of sections.

3. Pick up one piece and hold it between your forefinger and your thumb. Press very gently. Rotate the clay and press very gently again. Continue doing this, and eventually the clay will take on a square shape.

4. Work the clay until it is as square as you want it to be. Insert the toothpick into one side of the bead. Be sure to insert it directly in the center of the bead. On the exact opposite side, do the same thing. Twist the toothpick until it is fully through the bead. Leave the toothpick in the bead.

5. Using a toothpick per bead, continue forming beads until you have the number of square beads you desire for your project.

6. Preheat your oven per the instructions on the side of the package your clay came in. Each brand is different. For example, Fimo should be baked at 265 degrees F, while Sculpey suggests 275 degrees. Baking times are also listed on the package. Once your beads are finished baking, let them stand until cool. Then remove the toothpicks.

7. Lightly sand the beads to remove any burrs, and wipe them off with a damp cloth. Apply a coating of Sculpey glaze and allow to dry. Sand them again and apply another coating of the glaze. Do this until you are satisfied with the result, but be sure the glaze does not build up inside the bead's hole.

8. Allow the last coat of glaze to dry, and that is it. Now you have square beads for whatever project you have in mind!

Tips & Warnings

• There are plastic bead shapers available in craft stores that can quickly make square beads if you do not want to do it all by hand.
• Do not overbake your beads, since they can burn or become very brittle.