Thursday, July 4, 2013

Making Polymer Clay Beads: A Fun New Craft Idea the Whole Family Can Enjoy


Polymer clay beads are getting a lot of attention in the world crafting. Suitable for adults and children (ages 8 and up), working with polymer clay beads can give a new way to have fun with your kids, too. What are the Polymer Clay Beads? polymer clay beads pearls are formed of polymer clay (which is sometimes known simply as "Fimo", a trademark of clay.) This polymer clay can be molded into a variety of different creations. Then the clay is baked in the oven home to create a tough, durable, which can pierce, slice, sand and paint to achieve various creative effects. Because polymer clay is so easy to work with, it has become a popular way to make your own beads for jewelry making. Making Polymer Clay Beads The process of making the beads is quite simple. Just pinch off a bit 'of clay, knead in your hands and shape it into the shape you like. You can make polymer clay beads in a variety of different forms, using a variety of techniques and instruments. And you can work with the clay over and over again (until it was cooked.) Molding the clay requires firm pressure, but keeps its shape even when it is fixed. It 's easier to work with when it's a bit' hot, so if you fail to cooperate, you may want to switch to a work area warmer or warm your hands a little '. rounded beads are easier for beginners, but you can soon learn how to make beads that are square, star-shaped, heart-shaped or designed to look like small animals. Flower-shaped beads are very popular. To make the beads in different colors, begins choosing among the many colors of polymer clay that are commercially available. You can get a marbled effect to work with more colors at once. Once your creations are cooked, you can paint with acrylics or nail polish to give them extra shine and sparkle.



It 'easy to make holes in Fimo beads, so you can put together into bracelets or necklaces or sew them on your clothes. You can pierce the hard beads, once they have been cooked. Or you can make holes in the soft clay before you bake your pearls. A toothpick is perfect for punching holes through Fimo clay once the beads have been shaped. Wiggle the toothpick around to make sure that the sides of the holes are smooth and will not fall to bits clog them during cooking. You can also use a wooden skewer to make holes in beads. Carefully push a skewer through the center of your heel over, taking care not to change its shape. Fill the skewer with beads (making sure they do not touch each other). Thus, to support the skewer on a rack from the oven or other container from the oven so the beads do not change shape during cooking. Bake the beads directly on the skewer. Bake the Beads You'll need to cook all your clay creations to make them hard and shiny and to ensure that they maintain their shape. You can do this in a regular oven on a baking sheet, but follow the instructions on each product package to make sure you get the right temperature. (If the polymer clay is baked at too high temperature, it can release dangerous gases.) Your pearls will be hard and ready to string together into jewelry once the clay is baked and cooled. The manufacturer recommends this type of polymeric compound modeling for ages 8 and up, with adult supervision, because it required the use of an oven, and the product must not be ingested. Once you have the basics down, experiment with different varieties and brands of polymer clay, each of which has a different level of malleability. You can also get polymer clay in a variety of effects, such as translucent, iridescent, and glow-in-the-dark, to create beads and jewelry that are truly one-of-a-kind.

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