How to Sand Polymer Clay Beads

Polymer clay, a material consisting of polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and liquid plasticizer, is an inexpensive, readily-available craft material that can be fired in a home oven. Because of its ease in use and wide array of available colors, polymer clay has become popular to create pendants and beads to use in jewelry. Polymer clay artists often go beyond firing to finish their wearable pieces. Sanding and buffing fired beads gives them a smooth, finished surface that is pleasing to the eye and touch.

Things You'll Need

• Fired (baked) polymer clay beads
• Water, small bowl
• Electric toothbrush with toothbrush head
• Sandpaper, 1000 grit and 1500 grit
• Denim fabric, small piece

Instructions

1. Dip the head of your electric toothbrush and the finished polymer clay beads in a bowl of water.

2. Turn on the electric toothbrush and lightly rub all surfaces of the beads with the vibrating head.

3. Rewet the beads as necessary for lubrication.

4. Hold each polymer bead under the water in the bowl and sand lightly with 1000 grit sandpaper. Be sure to sand all surfaces evenly.

5. Rinse the beads in the water. Freshen up or change water as necessary.

6. Sand the beads in the water with the 1500 grit sandpaper, using the same technique as in Step 4. Rinse beads when done.

7. Buff and burnish your beads on a piece of denim fabric. Rub vigorously against the denim until the beads are dry, smooth, and slightly shiny.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use the toothbrush head with which you sanded your polymer clay beads for any other purpose.

References

• The Clay Store: How to Sand and Buff Polymer Clay
• Polymer Clay Web: Sanding & Buffing
• "Creating with Polymer Clay: Designs, Techniques, Projects"; Stephen Ford, Leslie Dierks; 1999