Faux Turquoise Beads

by Laura Torres | More from this Blogger

23 Jan 2006 10:23 PM

Your kids will love making these polymer clay beads because they look just like turquoise.

Materials:

Black and turquoise polymer clay Waxed paper or clean, washable work surface Darning needle or toothpick Ceramic or glass baking pan Wire for baking round beads

Roll out a log of turquoise polymer clay and a skinnier log of black clay, using about 1/4 as much black as blue. Twist the two colors of clay together

Fold and swirl the colors until the black blends in a little bit with the blue and looks like turquoise.

Now you can make any shape bead you would like. Try making tube beads (see previous blog on tube beads), round beads, flat amulet-style beads, or even square beads.

To make round beads, roll a small piece of clay between your palms. Poke a hole in it with the toothpick or darning needle. Thread the bead or beads on a wire and lay the wire across the baking pan so the bead is suspended. This prevents the bead from getting a small shiny spot from contact with the pan.

Flat beads can be baked flat on the pan. Poke a hole at the top with the toothpick or darning needle.

You can also try making simple animal-shape beads if you are feeling ambitious.

Bake the beads according to the package directions.

The faux turquoise beads look great strung on leather or suede cord. Try one tube bead strung on leather cord with a knot on each side of the bead for a simple, but great-looking choker.

You can experiment with making other faux precious stones and gems with polymer clay such as amber or jade. Try mixing solid colors with transparent polymer clay to get a realistic look.

Learn more about Laura Torres

Laura Torres is the best-selling author of many books for kids and teens, and a party planner. Check out her website at lauratorres.com.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger