Making beads of polymer clay can be a very simple or very complex process.
Beads can be made using a variety of methods, including millefiore (meaning
"thousand flowers" in Italian) adapted from Venetian glass making cane
work techniques.
In making millefiore designs, no paints are used, only colored clays
or glass. Individual slices, called "murrini" are placed to build
up even more detailed images. Other techniques include molded, stamped
or impressed beads, color manipulation, mica shift, paint applications,
reticulation, filigree, and more!
Clays can be used with metallic foils, embossing powders and inks as well other decorative inclusions. More ways of using polymer clay and techniques
for incredible effects are being discovered and furthered every day by
artisans around the world.
Many different canes and other embellishments
are used in a kind of clay appliqué to make our very popular Girl Beads. Over the years, these
beads have developed into
different shapes and sizes, rounded out...but then, haven't most of us?
These previous editions of girl beads are almost completely sold out, but a
new group is being prepared for 2008.
We've opened a store at Etsy to sell our
beads, Spirit Doll Kits, and more! Click
here to see what's available!
In the books "Create A Polymer Clay Impression"
and
"Celebrations With Polymer Clay"
many techniques for making beads are shown in detail.
All it takes is lots of time, patience, and of course, some polymer
clay!
Try a Mehndi Hand Bead with silver
wire to form a pendant loop, and silver bells. The henna-like designs are made with cane slices in the millefiore style.
The one shown here is strung on a simple leather cord, with faux coral
polymer accent beads and some silver bells. Jewelry that moves and makes
sounds gives an extra level of fun!
Tattooed Hand Beads suggest tribal
designs inked into permanent mementos--and these designs ARE inked, using
dye inks on individually formed polymer clay hands
and a huge collection of stamps developed over
many years accumulation.
Designs can also be traditionally colorful-though the blue versions
are my favorites, and many people seem to agree.
We've just designed a
NEW set of stamps specifically for these beads, so check back later in
the year to see what's being made!
Victorian Hand Beads are also costumed
in a wide variety of period costume styles.
These are some of my favorite beads to create...and I think it shows.
Playing "dress-up" with each one is a lot of fun..
From Renaissance through Victorian and on to many other modes of dress,
these beads are very unique. No two are costumed exactly alike.
Many are done in faux ivory, but versions with colored costumes are
also available by special order.
Hands can be used as a special dangle at the end of bead amulet bags,
as single pendants, or in a grouping with other beads you've come to treasure!
All Hand Beads are pierced from side to side at the top of
the arm area.
Bonnet Head Beads are also individually
costumed and made with meticulous placement of many detailed bits and pieces.
Molds created from antique buttons,
architectural details like knobs
and moldings, and even pieces of pressed or cut glass along with Miracle Mold (a silicon product) provide all sorts of
interesting textures.
Along with other faux ivory beads, these are made in monochromatic tones
of palest ivory to darker bone or the buttery tones of older bakelite pieces.
The hat pins above make use of textured
beads
and small Bonnet Head Beads. Every one is hand formed and detailed, and
some are baked in several different stages and then compiled into one beautiful
bead. Each is then delicately hand stained using my own recipes of acrylic paints, mica
pigments, and Rust-Oleum Varathane as a carrier medium.
This gives an antiqued effect.
The Bonnet Head Beads and the Face Bead Pendants
both make use of polymer clay face cabochons. After an original face is
modeled by hand, each is cast into a RTV Silicone mold
and replications are used to create these beads--they are also for sale
individually for those who want to make their own Bonnet Heads or dressed
pendant pieces by adorning them with more clay and re-baking.
Click here
to see all the styles of Face Cabs
that are available to jewelry and doll makers for use.
Lentil Beads are a wonderfully wearable
shape. They are also lots of fun to make.
Recently some of these beads made using my favorite blue canes were featured
in a decorative project for our bathroom---see how to create
your own "Bauble Bath" here.
