Polymer Clay Sugar Bead Tutorial

I thought I would share a tutorial on how to make polymer clay sugar beads. Please keep in mind this is the first tutorial I have ever published online. Hope you enjoy reading my tutorial and creating your very own sugar beads.

Materials:

polymer clay in a colour of your choice
A jar of clear glass micro-beads
A bottle of Sculpey glaze
cookie cutter
pasta machine
piercing needle
paintbrush


Step One:
Select your colour choice. I used Sculpey rose with some Sculpey Red. Condition your clay by squeezing and passing it several times through the pasta machine. Roll your clay out on the thickest setting of your pasta machine.

Step Two:
I like to use a square cutter to cut my pieces. I can be sure each of my beads are the same size. Take your choice of cutter and cut out pieces from your clay sheet. I double up my pieces by combining two squares together.

Step Three:
Take your cut out pieces and roll them in the palms of your hands into a nice round form. Place them onto a plate and set them in your freezer to harden for about 20 minutes.

Step Four:
Place your beads on your work surface and take something smooth and gently press down to flatten your bead into a rondelle shape. I like to use a piece of Plexiglas glass to gently flatten my beads.


Step Five:
Take your piercing tool and pierce in the center of your bead. Remember to pierce on the other side to get a clean hole for your bead.



Step Six:
Now comes the time to sugar coat your beads. You will want to place your beads back into the freezer for about 10 minutes to cool them back down again. It's really hard to work with softer beads. I like to take a few out of the freezer and go back for the rest when I'm done sugar coating the first few.

Step Seven:
Put your bead on your piercing tool. Take your paint brush and apply a coat of glaze all over your bead. Place the bead into the jar of micro-beads and swirl around, careful not to touch the inside of the jar. Make sure you coat the entire bead. You can touch lightly with your finger to press the beads down evenly.


Step Eight:
When all your beads have been coated with the glass micro-beads it's time to bake. I like to bake my beads on a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.

Step Nine:
Pre-heat your oven to 225○F Bake your beads for approx. 30 minutes. Take your beads out and let them cool completely before handling them.

Step Ten:
Time to glaze. Use a toothpick to apply some glaze. I used Sculpey glaze. Put the other end of the toothpick in a piece of Styrofoam. Let dry for about an hour. Apply another coat or two and allow your beads to dry over night.

There you have it your very own set of polymer clay sugar beads. Please be sure to share your sugar bead creations with me, I'd love to see what you make. Enjoy =)