December 4, 2008
How to Make Beads | Polymer Clay Tools | Tri Bead Roller by Amaco
Do Your Bicone, Oval and Round Beads Always End Up Looking As They Should?
When I originally bought my Amaco Tri-Bead Roller, I thought it was going to solve all of my bead rolling problems. And now that I know how to use this handy polymer clay tool, I do love it a lot. However, there was definitely a learning curve. Many beginners end up with misshapen beads that have cracked ends. So today's article will give you some tips on how to work with your Amaco Tri Bead Roller properly.
If you don't yet have a polymer clay beadroller tool, here's a link to where you can purchase one online at Amazon (they are not very expensive): Buy Amaco Tri-Bead Roller
Bead Roller Tips:
- Use the measuring tool that comes with the bead roller, to get an exact amount of polymer clay. If you have too much clay, your bead will come out warped with cracked ends. Too little clay in the roller and the ball will not roll.
- Move slowly. Rolling too fast will mis-shape the beads.
- Use marbled clay to get a spiral effect in the beads. For a spiraled bead, start at one end of the roller and roll the bead till you get to the end. When you reach the end, pick up the bead and put it at the beginning again. Keep rolling in this way in only one direction, until you reach the desired amount of swirling on your polymer clay bead. You can make these swirls on any of the three bead shapes in the Amaco roller.
- To avoid distorting the beads, let them rest before piercing. Some of the bead rollers have a piercing hole in them for sliding the piercing pin into without touching the bead at all. It is a very nice feature, and I've been thinking of ways I could modify my roller to have the same function. If I figure it out I will let you know.
Follow these tips and you will definitely have great success rolling your polymer clay beads with the Amaco Tri-Bead Roller
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BY THE WAY… all the above information (and more) about the Amaco Tri Bead Roller, is covered in Tutorial Video #20 of my 39 Part Polymer Clay Fundamentals 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 course order page, here is that link: Polymer Clay Bead Making Fundamentals |
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Filed under 02: Tools, 05: Techniques, 06: Bead Shapes by Cindy Lietz
Comments on How to Make Beads | Polymer Clay Tools | Tri Bead Roller by Amaco »
Hi Cindy,
Have one of these rollers and you really do need to use the measuring device. Will try the spiral technique. Hope you come up with the hole piercing solution.
Thanks.
MJ
It shouldn't be too hard. Just need the time to sit down and figure it out. I'll let everyone know when I do! Thanks MJ!
I love spiral oval beads, just made about a million batches of them the other week! I love the shape.
Can't say I'm sold on bicones though. I don't know, they just don't please my eye in the same way that ovals do.
I'm definitely glad I bought my bead roller - but as you say, there's a learning curve. I've spent a few hours of frustration with cracked beads, even when using the measuring device! Eventually I learned to take a little bit of clay off problem beads until they rolled properly.
I still can't manage to do round beads without getting curved lines in them from the roller.
One tip I'd like to add is make sure your clay is really well conditioned before using it in the roller, because if you don't the beads will definitely crack.
Thank you for your tips Silverleaf! I'm not sure what is happening with your round beads. If I figure it out I'll let you know! I usually roll my round beads by hand. I can do them a lot faster that way and a variety of sizes.
Hi Cindy,
I have that thingy and only used it once… Heee… I need to practice on that… the beads however are huge… I need to get me something way smaller but that's all they had at the store… :(
And thank you for passing by to my site… you so sweet. :)
CraftyGurl
Thanks for the advice! I don't think I even noticed it came with a measuring device. I'll have to try that out.
@craftygurl: There are a lot of cool things you can do with a large bead besides just stringing them. They make great pendants, tassel bases and look great wire wrapped as well! So you might want to pull that tool out again and see what you can come up with! I am enjoying your site BTW. You have lots of neat information!
@Deirdre: You're welcome. You will find it is a lot easier to work with, when you have exactly the right amount of clay!
Hi Cindy!
I have that tool also. A friend came by one day, with a present for me. She had taken a class in making Clay Mogame Cane. Anyway, I took out that tool, and both of us realized simultaneously, that a measuring tool was included. At first, I looked at it, and commented, "What is this all about?" After looking at the instructions (Daw! Who knew! Ahem!) Before that, we were estimating what we thought we needed. Amazingly enough, that dohicky does sure make a difference! Anyway, once we used the measuring tool, it was so much easier. It even gave us something to laugh about. Who knew! After a little bit, we had a batch of beads ready to bake. They were really nice looking! The Mogame was a mixture of a Reddish Clay, with Golds, Bronze and Copper (from what I remember). I'm counting on my memory for this tidbit of information, because my supplies are back in Vegas, and I'm in Virginia. Boo Who! These colors were gorgeous together, and really were impressive. Besides that, we had so much fun together sharing our day. In the end, I felt guilty keeping all the stash, and insisted on sharing these with her. After all, it was originally her Mogame Clay. Anyways, that Amaco Bead thingie makes really nice beads. Want to also wire wrap some of them. Do think that it is easier, if you make holes in the clay before baking. However, there is an advantage to drilling after the fact, because then you can use them on thick or thin stringing materials. My trusty dremel does come in handy. I'm one of those people whom shoreeee loves tools!!! Although, I do plan on purchasing your back issue Dremel Information. Love your explicit explanations, and ya gotta know, that there's always a handy dandy bit of info. included. It's always plainer when it's visual for me. The main thing is that you are having fun experimenting. I truly believe this. I've taught myself also to be able to not take myself seriously. Ha! Ha! In this way, it's a total blast. You never know what you are going to come up with, that is, unless you try. See, like I've said in the past, "I've turned into my MOM." Ha! Ha!
I just love all of your stuff Cindy. Thanks ever so much. You are truly appreciated, and just having you there makes a difference to me.
Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, but I've been down with that blasted Viral Bug. Can't keep a good woman down, so "I'm backkkkk!!!!". La De Da!!!!
DIANA (The Crazy Lady)
Queen of Beading
Great to see you're back Diana!! Thanks for the fabulous comment. Sounds like you had fun making beads with your friend!
I've had one for years and absolutely love it! I just wish that they had more sizes available. =)
If you go to Amaco's website you will see they have tons of sizes. From my experience the craft stores don't carry most of them. Thanks for coming by Kelly!