How to Make Molds for Glass Beads

Making molds for glass beads with cork clay and nails creates a durable bead form. Melted glass or powdered glass can be used inside of the clay molds.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cork clay
• Wooden dowel rod
• Toothpicks
• Kiln
• Metal tray

1. Open the cork clay package. The clay will be damp to the touch. Mold the clay into desired shape. Cork clay is malleable only when damp and must be kneaded and formed quickly after its removal from the package. One round or square base can be indented to hold multiple bead forms.

2. Poke holes into the clay at the desired bead length and width.

3. Push toothpicks into each bead pocket to create a hole through the bead. The toothpicks will dissolve when the beads and mold are fired in the kiln. Do not fill glass above the end of the toothpick.

4. Dry the mold at room temperature for 24 hours.

5. Fill mold with glass, and fire in kiln at the desired temperature.

Tips & Warnings

• Glass beads are fragile during the mold process and can crack inside the pressure of the mold if proper bead-making techniques are not followed.

Resources

• eShop Africa website bead-making instruction page
• Teach Street website mold-making information