April 20, 2008
Piercing Beads with Small Pins vs Making Large Hole Beads

Tip #31: Size Does Matter When It comes to Piercing or Drilling Holes in Beads:
Although there are ways to drill holes in beads after the polymer clay baking process is complete, it is usually easier (and safer) to pierce them beforehand.
Most bead racks come with long metal pins designed for making small bead holes. However, for large bead holes you can use bamboo skewers, knitting needles, metal rods and even plastic drinking straws to punch through the clay.
Be sure to use lots of cornstarch on your bead piercing tools. This will help to keep them from sticking to the polymer clay which can cause your beads to become distorted.

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>> Piercing Beads <<
"Making Holes in Beads" Video Description: The full version of this tutorial is available in my Beads and Beading Membership Club. In it I discuss how to make both small holes and large holes in all kinds of beads including lentils, bicone, round and tube bead shapes. I even demonstrate a unique paper and leather punch tool for making holes in flat pendants after they have been baked. Finally, I show you how to do bead piercing so that the hole exits the bead on the other side, exactly where you want it to.
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Filed under 02: Tools, 05: Techniques, 06: Bead Shapes by Cindy Lietz















Comments on Piercing Beads with Small Pins vs Making Large Hole Beads »
I always new that size matters! Fortunately I have no worries at all in that department, my special bead drill bits are very well endowed. Now I would like to endow you with a meme (I'm so clever).
Ernie's last blog post..I've Got Meme On My Face
hehehe You're a funny guy! Good to hear you have such good tools in your shed!
About the meme… those things drive me crazy! (Watch, one day they'll be my favorite thing. I like to change my mind sometimes!) Even as a kid I threw out chain letters no matter how much bad luck I was supposed to get by breaking it… Guess I like to live life on the edge!
Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Jelly Roll Cane - Perfect for Polymer Clay Beginners