How to Make Indian Beads
Native Americans considered the process of bead making to be as sacred as prayer itself. Beads were made from natural materials, most often ceramic. Often painted with food coloring and stains derived from forest plants, Indian beads were works of art. You can replicate these treasures using polymer clay. Here's how.
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Things You'll Need
- Polymer clay Putty knife Toothpick Oven Baking tray Parchment paper Acrylic paint Acrylic crystal clear, shine sealer
Instructions
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Knead your polymer clay until it is soft enough to mold. Squeeze it between your palms and fingers to smooth it, stretching and squeezing until it is pliable.
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Roll the clay into a long, snake-like cylinder.
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3
Cut the clay cylinder into sections, using a metal putty knife.
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Determine the size of the beads and use the putty knife to cut them accordingly. Place the pieces onto a plate to help you keep track of them.
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Shape the individual beads as desired and insert a toothpick into each to form a hole in the center. Gently pierce each bead through its center with the toothpick, which you will remove once the hole has been made.
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Line a baking tray with a piece of parchment paper, and place each one of the beads onto the tray. Cover the beads with another piece of parchment paper to avoid burns on the beads. Set your oven to the required heat setting, place the tray with the beads inside, and bake for the amount of time set by the manufacturer.
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Remove the beads from the oven after they are baked and allow them to cool. Once cooled, paint them with acrylic and spray them with a crystal clear acrylic sealer for shine.
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String your beads onto a piece of cording and secure with a knot.
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Tips & Warnings
Embossing powders can be sprinkled on the clay before baking to make your beads shimmer.
Be careful when removing the baking tray from the oven. Use a potholder.
Resources
- Photo Credit Jonae Fredericks
