How to Put Names in Polymer Clay Beads
Polymer clay beads are easy to make. Polymer clay comes in many colors, and it is possible to make different shapes and sizes of beads with the material. If you want to write names inside a polymer clay bead, that is also a simple project. You only need a few simple tools to create personalized polymer clay beads. Use named polymer beads for handmade gifts or for yourself.
Things You'll Need
- Polymer clay
- Rolling pin
- Texturing tool or letter stamps
- Plastic wrap
- Clay cutter
- Craft glue
Instructions
-
-
1
Roll out the clay to a thickness of about ¼ inch onto a clean, flat surface.
-
2
Write or stamp the letters into the clay with the texturing tool or with the stamps. Make sure that you do not go all the way through the clay and to the surface beneath. There should be some clay at the bottom to keep the bottom surface flat and even.
-
-
3
Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the words. Use a cutter slightly larger than the words to cut out the names from the clay. Peel the excess clay away and set it aside. Remove the cut out names from the flat surface.
-
4
Bake the names in the oven for about 30 minutes according to package directions.
-
5
Roll balls of clay the same size as the pad of your thumb. Press the clay slightly to flatten the sides of the balls. Press the name discs into the balls. Remove the discs and poke a hole through the base clay with a toothpick or other tool. Make the hole large enough to thread a string through. Bake the base clay.
-
6
Glue the name plates inside the base clay depressions to hold them in place.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you want the beads to stay rounded, you can make the depression on one side only. You can also make the beads square or any other shape you like by forming the base clay into different shapes.
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
