November 23, 2008
How to Make Beads | Basic Tool Kit for Working with Polymer Clay
Making Beads With Fimo or Sculpey Requires Very Little To Get Started:
One of the most common polymer clay beginner questions is:
"I don't want to buy a lot of unnecessary stuff. What is the minimum amount of tools I'll need to get started with polymer clay?"
Well, here is a "bare bones" list of tools and supplies you'll need for clay bead making:
- Clay - Cheapest is not always the best. Premo Sculpey or Fimo Classic are great polymer clays to start with. Get a few in the primary colors, plus black, white and translucent. Avoid Sculpey III because it is the lowest quality and will probably leave you frustrated.
- Oven or Toaster Oven - Polymer clay must be baked in the oven to be cured.
- Oven Thermometer - Very important. Most ovens have a range in temperature and their dials are rarely right. Burning clay can release toxic fumes and should be avoided at all times. Test your oven with a thermometer first to make sure there are no hot spots.
- Smooth Glass or Tile Work Surface - I use a glass cutting board. It won't scratch and won't leave textures or marks on clay. Clay doesn't stick to it and it is easy to clean.
- Ceramic Tile for Baking On - Ceramic tile with a smooth surface is perfect for baking pendants and beads on. It's insulating qualities help with evening out the oven's temperature and it won't leave shiny spots on your clay. Avoid using metal which conducts the heat causing hot spots and burning as well as leaving shiny spots on your clay.
- Clay Blade - These are way better for cutting clay and canes than a regular knife. They have straight edges, are thin and cut the clay and canes cleanly.
- Acrylic Rod - You will find these in the clay section of your craft store. There are wide, smooth, heavy and roll out the clay quite nicely. Because they are made of acrylic they won't bond with clay and they clean up easily.
The above list of polymer clay tools and supplies is very basic. As you get more involved with polymer clay bead making, there are several other things that you will want to purchase too. One step at a time, though.
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BY THE WAY… all the above information and much more, about basic polymer clay tools, is covered in Video #7 of my 39 Part Polymer Clay Basics Course. If you would like to see a sneak preview clip for this course video, here is the link: Or if you want to go straight to the the course order page, here is that link: Polymer Clay Bead Making Fundamentals |
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Filed under 02: Tools by Cindy Lietz
Comments on How to Make Beads | Basic Tool Kit for Working with Polymer Clay »
In the article above I talked about what you should have in a "bare bones" basic tool kit. The very next piece of equipment you should get is a pasta machine. Sure you may be able to get by without one. But once you start using a pasta machine, you will wonder how you ever got by without it.
that's a great post! i was just asked by a clayer from jordan (neighbour ;) ) about "how to start claying" she asked me because she has to order everything online, nothing she can find in her country, so i have her the list, similar to yours, if you ask me, polymer clay is not that expensive hobby (at first anyway), our list is much shorter then other art mediums i know :)
Thanks again, Iris.
You're right Iris… glass bead making or even precious metal clay is a lot more expensive to get into than polymer clay bead making. And the results can be just as professional and beautiful. It is one of the reasons it is so great for beginners and advanced artists!
Thank you for your comments. It is wonderful to hear from you again Iris!