Sculpey
III in three colors (yellow, orange, and blue used
for this example)
brayer
or pasta machine
blade
tool
to poke holes in beads such as a needle
Instructions:
1. Roll
the yellow clay into a ball, and then slightly flatten the
ball into a cylinder about 2 inches long.
2. Wrap the cylinder with a 1/4 inch layer of Orange clay (#1 setting on pasta
machine). Roll cylinder slightly to seal it.
3. Reduce the cylinder to about 3/8-5/8" diameter and cut into 5 equal pieces
at 1-1/2-2 inches long. NOTE: This is done by rolling the cylinder the applying
pressure with the hands from the center out. The goal is to keep the cylinder
the same diameter from end to end without bulges. Go slowly, and as the clay
warms it moves smoothly and evenly.
4. Lay the 5 pieces together so that they touch each other and then stand the
new group on end. You should now have a small "fence" of clay rods.
5. Gently wrap this line of rods into a circle and visually measure the diameter
of the open center.
6. Roll a cylinder of the orange clay to fit this center and place it in the
center of the group. Close the "petals" around the center and press lightly
to seal.
7. Now, roll a cylinder of the blue clay to about 1/3 inch diameter and pinch
up the top to form a long triangle of blue clay.
8. Place a strip of this blue triangle between each "petal" taking care to
keep the point between the petals.
9. Flatten the remaining blue clay into a thin even sheet (1/8 " in diameter
or #4 on pasta machine). Wrap around the outside of the clay "cane". Trim the
edges and roll slightly to smooth seam.
10. Press again
gently to seal. Then squeeze from the middle of the assembled cane to each
end. This should reduce the diameter of the cane and remove any air pockets
which could cause distortion.
11. Lay the cane on your work surface and roll to reduce to the diameter you
wish your beads.
12. Slice your cane in 1/4" to 1/2" slices to form your flat beads.
13. Drill holes in your beads with your needle tool and bake according to directions.
