March 12, 2008
How To Make A Perfectly Round Bead By Hand
Tip #22: How To Make A Bead… Some Basic 101 Advice For Beginners:
Round is one of the first things that comes to mind when most people think about beads. When I first started working with polymer clay, I thought that rolling beads by hand would be easy. But I have to say that many of my original beginner beads ended up looking pretty wobbly… far from being perfect.
One of the secrets to rolling round beads by hand is to hold your lower hand flat and stationary, while making small circles with the top hand. Give it a try and let me know how it works for you. I'm here to help. 
>> How To Make A Bead <<
"Making Round Beads" Video Description: The full version of this tutorial is available in my Beads and Beading Membership Club. Do your round beads turn out perfectly round every time? In this video I discuss the following topics:
- How to position your hands properly.
- Dealing with soft clay issues.
- Using cornstarch to keep those nasty fingerprints at bay.
- Bead hole piercing techniques so that you don't distort the round shape.
- What to do when the piercing does not go as planned.
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Filed under 05: Techniques, 06: Bead Shapes by Cindy Lietz
Comments on How To Make A Perfectly Round Bead By Hand »
I mention in this video that waiting too long before piercing it could result in a crack forming near the hole. If you have waited too long and you see some cracking, just roll the bead again for a few seconds to warm it slightly. Then re-pierce a new hole.
I make beads by hand as you describe, but change direction constantly with the top hand so roll clockwise twice then anti-clockwise twice and so on in a fluid movement.
Caroline your advice is correct! In fact in my beginner's course, this video on rolling round beads goes into that exact technique. It also helps to keep the circles small to make a nice round shape!
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