How to Make Sculpey Beads
Sculpey is a brand of polymer clay that you can use to make a variety of craft projects, home décor items and personal accessories. Available in a range of colors which include metallic finishes, Sculpey clay is available at most craft stores. The material is sold in small blocks which you can mold and shape into just about anything. To make Sculpey beads, you’ll need a few clay making supplies that are also available at most craft stores.
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Things You'll Need
- Sculpey clay, three colors
- Clay cutter
- Pasta machine
- Metal knitting needle
- Cookie sheet
- Tin foil
- Sculpey glaze
Instructions
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Slice each Sculpey clay color block in half. Knead each block with your hands until it is soft. Press the softened clay into flat sections with your palm.
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2
Set a pasta machine designated for clay on the highest setting. Roll each flattened clay section through the machine. Stack the sheets on top of each other. Make sure that the edges are flush.
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3
Cut the stacked sheets in half. Roll each half through the pasta machine. The clay colors will blend together. Stack the rolled sheets on top of each other with the edges flush. Continue to halve the sheets, roll them through the machine and stack them until the clay colors reach the desired blend. Each time the clay sheets roll through the pasta machine, the color variations change.
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4
Place the final clay sheet on a hard, flat surface. Roll the sheet into a snake using the heel of your hand. The thickness of the rolled snake will become the width of your beads. To make wide beads, make a thick snake. To make small beads, make a thin snake. The more pressure you apply as you roll the clay, the thinner the snake will become.
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5
Slice the snake into sections equal to the desired thickness of your beads. Insert a metal knitting needle through the top or center of each bead to create the opening. The opening can be from side to side or from front to back. If you prefer round beads, roll each sliced clay section into a ball with your hands.
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6
Cover a cookie sheet with tin foil. Place the Sculpey beads on the cookie sheet.
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Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Bake the Sculpey beads for about 40 minutes until they harden. Remove the beads from the oven and allow them to cool.
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8
Coat each bead with Sculpey glaze. It may take more than one coat of glaze to reach the desired shine. Allow the glaze to dry completely before adding another coat.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Seiya Kawamoto/Digital Vision/Getty Images
