Polymer Clay Bead Making with Cindy Lietz • "I learned by making mistakes... Now you don't have to."
Home | Polymer Clay Newsletter | Member Video Library | Polymer Clay Basics Course | Video Problems | Contact Cindy
April 29, 2008

Bead Hole Drilling for Polymer Clay Jewelry Projects

3

Bead Hole Drilling

Vid #32: Need Some Large Hole Beads? 2 Hole Beads? How About 3 or 4 or More Holes In Your Beads?

Sometimes it's difficult to find beads perfectly suited for your jewelry projects. Even if you find ones that have the right shape, color and design, there's still a good chance that the holes will be too small, too large, too few or too many. Arghhh…!

Well I have suggestion. Stop looking for the perfect bead and start making them yourself. It's easy with polymer clay.

In this tip I'll talk about drilling bead holes. First you'll need a set of bits. Since polymer clay is so soft, you can get away with using the very cheap drill bits available at any dollar store.

I find that using a power drill is too dangerous when you have to hold the beads in your fingers, so I don't even use one. Instead I make custom polymer clay handles for each of my individual bits. This allows me to easily turn the bits by hand. Very safe.

By the way, I'll share more about exactly how to make the custom bit handles in another tip.

Now the most important thing to remember when making polymer clay bead holes is to start with the smallest bit size and then gradually in steps, move up to slightly larger bits. Do this until you have the desired hole size. The key here is a little at a time.

Going straight to a large drill bit size will often tear the edges of the polymer clay bead hole, making it look very unprofessional.

Cindy Lietz SignaturePolymer Clay Tutor





Click Video Play Button

3 Free Polymer Clay Videos
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<

The full version of the "Enlarging Bead Holes" preview video shown above, is included in my Polymer Clay Bead Making Fundamentals Course [SEE Video #28 of 39]. In this video I demonstrate how to use hand held metal bits to drill whatever hole size you desire through your polymer clay beads. Now you can create beads with large holes, small holes, or with 2, 3 or even 4 holes.

Tags: bead holes, drill bits, member vids

Filed Under: 02: Tools, 05: Techniques by Cindy Lietz Comment. #

Comments on Bead Hole Drilling for Polymer Clay Jewelry Projects Leave a Comment

April 30, 2008

Cindy Lietz from Conditioning Polymer Clay
9:30 pm #

Reply

If you decide not to make your own polymer clay beads from scratch, the hole drilling techniques described above will also work on polymer clay beads that you buy ready made.

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Tools for Polymer Clay Bead Making You Can Personalize

August 24, 2008

iliya
1:51 am #

Reply

YOU ARE WONDERFUL AND WE ARE LEARNING ALOT FROM YOU THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU

Cindy Lietz from Polymer Clay Bead Making
10:38 am #

Reply

Thank you so much iliya for your sweet comment!! So glad you are here!

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..A Polymer Clay Tutorial About Adding Fimo Cane Slices to Round Beads

Leave a Comment

Click here to cancel reply.

Fields marked by an asterisk (*) are required.

Subscribe without commenting

Topic Categories:

  • 01: Courses (2)
  • 02: Tools (125)
  • 03: Supplies (94)
  • 04: Handling (36)
  • 05: Techniques (166)
  • 06: Bead Shapes (109)
  • 07: Cane Work (149)
  • 08: Color Theory (34)
  • 09: Color Recipes (55)
  • 10: Finishing (44)
  • 11: Bead Projects (151)
  • 12: Inspiration (54)
  • 13: Musings-News (144)
  • 14: Feature Guests (119)
  • 15: Promotions (158)
  • 16: Sell Your Stuff (52)

Reader Survey:

Which One of the Following Choices Best Describes You?

Links and Resources

  • Polymer Clay Bead Making Tutorials – Cindy Lietz
RSS feed
Desktop Reader Bloglines Google Live Netvibes Newsgator Yahoo! What's This?

Archives

Recent Comments

March 10, 2010

  • Lisa Whitham on Kato Polyclay Color Recipes | Alpine Succulent Palette [Sue-F]
  • Sarah Young on Making Miniature Food for Dollhouses and Barbie's | Size Matters
  • Lisa Whitham on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Glowing Jellyroll Cane - Psychedelic 60's

March 9, 2010

  • carolyn on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Glowing Jellyroll Cane - Psychedelic 60's
  • Peggy Barnes on Using Iridescent Buffalo Snow Flakes to Make Beautiful Faux Opals
  • Sue F on Hollow Polymer Clay "Puffy" Beads: Quick & Easy to Make, No Mess
  • Sue F on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Glowing Jellyroll Cane - Psychedelic 60's
  • Linda K. on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Linda K. on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Phaedrakat on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Glowing Jellyroll Cane - Psychedelic 60's
  • JoyceM on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Phaedrakat on Hollow Polymer Clay "Puffy" Beads: Quick & Easy to Make, No Mess
  • Phaedrakat on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • Laurel on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • Mary on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • Laurel on Using Iridescent Buffalo Snow Flakes to Make Beautiful Faux Opals
  • Phaedrakat on Making Miniature Food for Dollhouses and Barbie's | Size Matters
  • Laurel on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • Laurel on Polymer Clay Buttons, Faux Malachite Beads, Lace Hearts [PICS]
  • Tina Adams on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Glowing Jellyroll Cane - Psychedelic 60's
  • carolyn on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Phaedrakat on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Phaedrakat on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Peggy Barnes on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Phaedrakat on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • JoyceM on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Catalina on Cheer On Your Sport Teams with Custom Polymer Clay Colors [Q&A]
  • Sarah Young on Making Miniature Food for Dollhouses and Barbie's | Size Matters
  • carolyn on Polymer Clay Tutorial | How to Make Handmade Ear Wires [VIDEO]
  • Linda K. on Polymer Clay Tutorial | How to Make Handmade Ear Wires [VIDEO]
  • Cindy Lietz@Cleaning Your Pasta Machine Rollers on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Taking Apart And Cleaning A Pasta Machine
  • Sue F on Polymer Clay Buttons, Faux Malachite Beads, Lace Hearts [PICS]
  • Sue F on Hollow Polymer Clay "Puffy" Beads: Quick & Easy to Make, No Mess
  • Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay Buttons on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Linda K. on Hollow Polymer Clay "Puffy" Beads: Quick & Easy to Make, No Mess
  • Linda K. on Polymer Clay Buttons, Faux Malachite Beads, Lace Hearts [PICS]
  • carolyn on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Susan B on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Cindy Lietz@Lupe Meter's Christmas in March Blog Post on Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway: And the winner is... Lupe Meter
  • carolyn on Hollow Polymer Clay "Puffy" Beads: Quick & Easy to Make, No Mess
  • carolyn on Purse Charm, Spliced Flower Cane, Lentil Beads, Kaleidoscope
  • Linda K. on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • carolyn on Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway: And the winner is... Lupe Meter
  • cherie on Hollow Polymer Clay "Puffy" Beads: Quick & Easy to Make, No Mess
  • carolyn on Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway: And the winner is... Lupe Meter
  • Genevieve on Hollow Polymer Clay "Puffy" Beads: Quick & Easy to Make, No Mess
  • Hobokenmary on Purse Charm, Spliced Flower Cane, Lentil Beads, Kaleidoscope
  • cherie on Hollow Polymer Clay "Puffy" Beads: Quick & Easy to Make, No Mess
  • Cara on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Rose on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Phaedrakat on Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway: And the winner is... Lupe Meter
  • Phaedrakat on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Elizabeth S. on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making Your Own Custom Buttons [VIDEO]
  • Phaedrakat on Photo Transfer Bead Project - Baby Keepsake Necklace

March 8, 2010

  • Phaedrakat on Polymer Clay Finishes - Which One Is Best?
  • Phaedrakat on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Glowing Jellyroll Cane - Psychedelic 60's
  • Phaedrakat on Cheer On Your Sport Teams with Custom Polymer Clay Colors [Q&A]
  • carolyn on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • Tiffany on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • Phaedrakat on Cheer On Your Sport Teams with Custom Polymer Clay Colors [Q&A]
  • Lupe Meter on Cheer On Your Sport Teams with Custom Polymer Clay Colors [Q&A]
  • Freda K on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • Catalina on Cheer On Your Sport Teams with Custom Polymer Clay Colors [Q&A]
  • Tina Adams on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Glowing Jellyroll Cane - Psychedelic 60's
  • Cheryl Hodges on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • Peggy Barnes on Cheer On Your Sport Teams with Custom Polymer Clay Colors [Q&A]
  • carolyn on Polymer Clay Finishes - Which One Is Best?
  • Phaedrakat on Polymer Clay Finishes - Which One Is Best?
  • Phaedrakat on Polymer Clay Finishes - Which One Is Best?
  • Phaedrakat on Hollow Polymer Clay "Puffy" Beads: Quick & Easy to Make, No Mess
  • Phaedrakat on Cindy Lietz Polymer Clay Artist | Mixed Media Art Craft Instructor
  • Phaedrakat on Polymer Clay Finishes - Which One Is Best?
  • Phaedrakat on Polymer Clay Finishes - Which One Is Best?
  • Phaedrakat on Cheer On Your Sport Teams with Custom Polymer Clay Colors [Q&A]
  • Moco on Polymer Clay Finishes - Which One Is Best?
  • Tina Adams on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Glowing Jellyroll Cane - Psychedelic 60's
  • Peggy Barnes on Cheer On Your Sport Teams with Custom Polymer Clay Colors [Q&A]
  • carolyn on Cheer On Your Sport Teams with Custom Polymer Clay Colors [Q&A]
  • Cara on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • Melinda Herron on Cheer On Your Sport Teams with Custom Polymer Clay Colors [Q&A]
  • Maria on Calla Lily Beads in a Rainbow of Inspirational Colors [Q&A]
  • Moco on Polymer Clay Finishes - Which One Is Best?
  • DJ on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • kalatoo on Polymer Clay Finishes - Which One Is Best?
  • Peggy Barnes on Cheer On Your Sport Teams with Custom Polymer Clay Colors [Q&A]
  • Cindy Graveline on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Glowing Jellyroll Cane - Psychedelic 60's
  • Susan B on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • Cindy Lietz@Custom Polymer Clay Colors - Sports on Making Hang Tags for Selling your Polymer Clay Jewelry and Beads
  • cherie on Hollow Polymer Clay "Puffy" Beads: Quick & Easy to Make, No Mess
  • Linda K. on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • kalatoo on Crackled Gold Leaf, Alcohol Ink and Liquid Polymer Clay Techniques
  • Cara on Using Iridescent Buffalo Snow Flakes to Make Beautiful Faux Opals
  • Cara on Polymer Clay Faux Opal Pendant with Hammered Copper Jewelry Bail
  • Peggy Barnes on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • Ken H. on Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezels for Polymer Jewelry
  • Phaedrakat on Polymer Clay Tutorial | Glowing Jellyroll Cane - Psychedelic 60's
About Cindy Lietz, The Polymer Clay Tutor Terms of Use Privacy Policy
Copyright 2010