Bold Beads using 6 colors

When I was going through my inventory of clay looking for which colors were low and needed reordered, I put aside all the packs already opened from previous projects. There were about 15 opened packs.

Instead of opening up any new clay, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to use those clay packs. 

I have two upcoming craft fairs and will be teaching classes again in the month of April. Since I need beads and pendants to sell during these events, I decided it was time I get started.
 
This post will show you what I've been doing this morning.

I picked out six different colors for this project. Each segment is in a half ounce size. I had already decided I did not want my colors blended. For this reason, I did not use my pasta machine. I used a roller. By using the roller, the colors in my finishes pieces are bold and bright.

The six Premo Sculpey Accents colors I selected are Purple Pearl, Bright Green Pearl, Peacock Pearl, Bronze, Copper and Red Glitter.

Each color was chopped into small bits and conditioned. I was able to easily condition my clay by hand since the clay wasn't old and hard. 

If your clay is old and begins to crumble while trying to condition, read this post,  Don't Throw Away That Old Clay written last week. The post lists several methods used to easily condition old clay.

Once conditioned, each color was rolled into balls. The balls were then shaped into teardrops. To create a teardrop, pinch one end of of the ball until it resembles the photo on the left. 

Line up each color in an order you find pleasing. In the photo, you will see the color combination I selected.

After your teardrops are placed next to each other, they need flattening. To obtain the non-blended effect, I had decided not to use my pasta machine. If you try this method and decide you want blending, you will want to use your pasta machine.

This is where a plain old deck of playing cards work quite nicely.

The cards are used to make sure the teardrops are all flattened to the same height.

I have cards stacked and taped at heights of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 cards. For this project, I used the card heights of 20, 15 and then 10. It's easier to start with a larger card height first and to gradually go down in size until you have reached the flatness of clay needed for your project. 

Inspect you flattened tear drops closely. You're looking for trapped air pockets. Although, it's not obvious in the photo, I had several trapped air pockets on the top and bottom sides of the teardrops.

There are many techniques used to pop trapped air. The method I use was to cut an 'X' through the center of the air pocket. Next, just squeeze the sides of the pocket like a pimple until the air is removed.

Once the teardrops were flattened to the thickness I wanted, the next step was to shape the clay into a log. To shape, take the side that shows all the colors and roll into a log. Make sure you go slow, pinch and push the clay upon its self while rolling. No need to create more air pockets.

It is important to roll slowly. Once the log is about twice it's size, it's time to shorten the log a little by pushing in on the endings. Continue rolling and compacting the ends. 

To compact, place your thumbs on both ends and press the log back together making it shorter. Roll out again, and press back together.

The log now needs to be flattened. Again, use the deck of cards technique. I graduated down from card sizes of 15, 10 and lastly 5.

The result will be a long flat piece. Cut this piece into 4 or 5 pieces and stack one on top of the other. In the photo you can see the resulting color mix. Notice how bold the colors are without blending.

 
Using a roller, roll over the stacked clay. This will further eliminate any trapped air pockets. 

Now comes the easy part. Slice the stack into even pieces. The number of slices you create, equals the number of beads you will end up with. If you want your beads to end up small, cut your slices thin. For larger beads, cut the slices larger. Before committing to a bead size, now would be a good time to experiment with your cuts sizes.

To make beads, just bend the clay back and forth on itself so all the colors are represented.

I ended up with 14 beads and 3 pendants. There was also a small amount that will end up in my scrap clay pile.

Don't throw out scrap clay. Scraps come in handy. They can be used as a base for other jewelry

Here are the pendants. The pendants, were made using pieces which were cut off while making the stacks even.


I really like how the colors came out in the last pendant. I plan on using this pendant in a bracelet.

Well, that's about it. I will finish this project by making necklaces, bracelets and keychains.

Looks like I have some finishing work ahead. Time I get started.


As always, have a wonderful day.
Coffee Break over.

Dee.