Making Polymer Clay Beads all the Same Size or in Graduated Sets
Vid #29: Beads for Jewelry Making Must Often Be Sized Consistently for Bracelet or Necklace Projects:
The size of a bead is determined by the amount of polymer clay you start out with. You could guess about this amount and end up with bead sets that are close in size. Or you could you use tools and techniques that allow you to measure out exact amounts of your bead making clay for more consistent and predictable results.
Here's one of the easiest methods to make beads all the same size. First use your pasta machine to condition and prepare a flat sheet of clay. If you don't have a pasta machine and need to roll out your clay by hand, make sure that the clay sheet ends up having the same thickness throughout.
Now use a small cookie cutter to punch out identical amounts of polymer clay for rolling perfectly matched beads every time.
Or if you are making a jewelry necklace that requires consistent bead sizes ranging from smaller to larger, use a set of graduated poly cutters to accomplish this. As the cutters increase in size, so does they amount of clay they measure out for you.
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the "Beads All The Same Size" preview video shown above, is included in my Polymer Clay Bead Making Fundamentals Course [SEE Video #25 of 39]. In it I demonstrate the cookie cutter method for measuring out clay to make beads that are consistent in size or that are graduated. I also show a neat little trick to measure clay using a plastic ruler. This trick is great for anyone who does not yet have a pasta machine.
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Comments on Making Polymer Clay Beads all the Same Size or in Graduated Sets
3:53 pm
Not all beaded jewelry needs to have consistently sizes beads. I often like to make jewelry with random bead sizes. I'm guessing that says something about my personality :-)
Cindy's last post..Mokume Gane Polymer Clay Jewelry – Hard to Say But Easy to Make
4:04 pm
I just got this question from Lennie:
Q: What kind of cutters do you use? I'm looking for the small round set of 4, they're metal, and shown in your videos. I want to make 6mm beads.
A: The cutters I used in the video were called Polycutters made by Amaco. The set I purchased at Michaels included a diamond shape, 3 graduated ovals and 4 graduated circle cutters.
You would have to experiment with which cutter gave you a 6 mm bead because it really depends on the thickness of clay you start off with.
Cindy last post..Flower Beads for Jewelry Making – Made with Polymer Clay Canes
1:42 am
Found a template from Amaco on ebay & wondered if anyone has used this?, it's for gageing ball sizes.Which is better this or a set of the round cutters?.
1:56 am
Oops forgot to ask what are the 4 sizes in the video? Iv'e found some but there are many more sizes available & I don't want to have to get them all.
I just noticed that the Topic Categories are now right at the bottom & you have to scroll past all of the latest blog to get to it, small thing I know but it was easier when it was at the top.[or is it just my computer doing silly things?]
3:33 pm
Andrea, I haven't used the template you're talking about but I know which one you mean. For me I find cutters more useful because you can not only measure amounts of clay but also cut circles and holes with them.
The set I used in the video were Amaco's Polycutters. It came with a diamond, 3 ovals, and four circle cutters that are very useful. The circles are 15mm, 11mm, 8mm and 6mm. You can never really have too many circle cutters though they are so handy.
In regards to your Topic Category question. If you are referring to the block of navigation links that reference the Courses / Tools / Supplies / Handling / Techniques / Etc / Etc /… they should be right at the top left of the site under the header and under the new Custom Google Search box. Is this not where you see them?
8:23 am
Thanks for the cutters advice I will search for that set.
As for the Topic Category for some strange reason they now appear right at the bottom after the last blog not under the search box as before.
8:57 am
That is very strange about where those Topic Category navigation links are showing up in your browser. You may be able to fix it by clearing the browser cache. Here's a link with instructions on how to do that: http://kb.iu.edu/data/ahic.html