Sand Your Polymer Clay Beads – Or Else

You are right, Sanding to me brings out some diffrent aspects of the beads. It also removes any finger prints or smuges that have appeared from handling. When you sand and buff a lot of time no gloss is needed, they are shiney enough without!

Some of us just don't have the patience to sand most beads, lol and as you say it is lazyness, no excuse there. If one wants a particular piece to stand out then one must sand. Mokume gane with translucent clay and leafing is one example, sanding just makes it 'pop'. I totally agree that it makes the item look professional when it is well-finished. I tend to save my baked beads now until I have a tumbler full and then tumble sand it, hee.

I do mostly sculptural stuff ala Christie, and that doesn't require sanding. If I made beads, I would go through the trouble and then coat with Future for extra shine.

I will admit I am lazy, but if I'm gonna spend the time working on something that I want to look nice, I'm going to do it right so I don't have to hide it. Cheryl

OK, in addition to being a guru, color genius, you must also be a mind-reader. I have just made my first beads with polymer clay and have already wondered, a couple of times, if I really needed to sand them. Since I am lying in bed, right now, doing the treasure hunt and my wonderful, yet exhausted husband is asleep and has to get up and work tomorrow, I am going to have to wait until the a.m. to sand, but trust me, it will be number one on my to do list, right after my coffee!Thanks.

OK, so I actually did buy sandpaper with all good intentions, but I have to admit – I've been using a glaze in spite of the rough spots that form around the holes when I take the skewer out! I've been duly admonished and will incorporate sanding into my repetoire! Thanks!

I sand!! I really do!! I have the sore and cramped hand to prove it!!

Just think of it Girls and Guys, instead of reaching for those potato chips when you are watching T.V. reach for your beads that need to be sanded. I am all into multi-tasking. Just think of how many calories you will save and burn. I am always looking to make a dull project fun, so all you Polymer Clay artists start thinking outside the box. I feel like a kid again, playing with this medium. Being a kid again is what all of us old folks dream about.

I do sand but I must not be doing it enough or with the right stuff. I still feel that my beads need glaze or something. They never look as good as other's samples I've seen.

I didn't sand my beads! Oh my gosh! I am the one you are talking about! I need a two step program. I will promise to sand the beads from now on. I will read and find out the right sand paper to use, I promise. I want the shine!!!!

ok cool!!!
I just lost all my glaze, my cat thought it looked yummy!!
my floor did not like it but it made my beads look so plastic like, not as shiny as it should so i will look in to the sand paper thing

Where do I find this "bead slave"???? :)

I guess I am just a "DULL" person :)….I am not a bead maker so I have not yet had to sand (or not to sand, that is the question). But I do agree with you, bead and jewlery needs to be sanded!

Cindy…you are such a wealth of knowledge! I am following your treasure hunt…but it is taking me hours because I am so enthralled with each and every page that I am finding on your site!!! I can't bear to go onto the next clue until I have read every word, and every link on each page! I am so excited about all that I am learning from you. My creative mind is in a whirlwind thinking of all that I am going to be able to do and make with all that I am learning from you…it is so great!!! WOW!!!

Not sanding and finishing our beads makes me think of getting ready for a perfect night out by putting on a special dress and matching shoes, putting on our best make-up, and nicest jewelry, but forgetting to comb our bed-head hair out!!! :) We would be spoiling the whole outcome, and the whole look we were trying to achieve in the first place (unless, of course, you are one of those people who look gorgeous no matter what you do, and I assure you, I am not!!!).

Takin' it all in and lovin' every bit of it!

Cindy Erickson

Hurray to everyone here!! You guys are making me laugh and cry and feel inspired by all your thoughtful comments!!

With such a huge number at once I have not been able to answer each question yet but I will try to do my best.

If you could hear me now I am cheering you all on! Keep up the great conversations everyone!!

PS: If I were a Genie I would grant you all with a personal bead slave for all your great comments on this blog!!

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Itsy Bitsy Spider Jewelry Made with Polymer Clay Canes

A personal bead slave would be very good. LOL!!! :)

When I made my first beads I didn't know about sanding.
I do now and the difference between my first beads and now is that they look very professional. And I have even received requests for beaded necklaces based on beads I had made in my own necklace. (With the price of gas going up and up, a little extra money comes in handy.)

I have been reading up on polymer clay for about a year now & experimenting whenever possible. Through the hundreds of websites I've visited, I found what seemed like equally compelling arguments for and against sanding. Not that anyone was against sanding per se, but rather just thought it was too much effort & you could achieve the same finish by just applying a coat of finish to the unsanded bead. I didn't know any better & certainly didn't want to do anything I didn't have to in order to get a good result. So I didn't sand & the pieces were fine.

When I stumbled across your website a month or 2 ago, I watched your video on sanding. It seemed easy enough & the materials weren't expensive so I figured what the heck, I'd try it to see the different. Well, what a difference it made! Just with sanding the colors appear so much brighter than without and the finish makes them look fantastic! Thank you for explaining just how easy it is.

Cindy you are so right about the sanding. A friend and my sister were visiting and looking over my beads And guess what ones they loved the most? You got it the one that had been sanded. They even asked why the other didn't look as smooth and professional. I use a fine grit that has a thin foam backing on it that seems to work better than just regular sand paper. P.S. I directed both of them to you web site too.

I don't make a lot of jewelry, I'm mostly a caner, but the few things I have made that needed sanding I was never satisfied with my sanding job. I'll be trying some of your tips such as Drywall Sandpaper. I've tried the automotice wet/dry, the 3-M polishing papers, rubbing with cornstarch before curing, a rock tumbler and vibratory tumbler (which has given me the best sanding effect). Buffing scares the heck out of me, The first time I tried using my dremel for buffing somehow it caught my fingers in strings from the buffing wheel and wound them up so fast it was unbelievable and now I'm scared to death of the stupid dremel, so I only buff by hand and it just doesn't seem to get that beautiful shine. Fortunately, I don't have to sand or buff much as I don't make many things that need it, but someday I WILL conquer this fear, LOL. Thanks for sharing, Sue C

Wow some of these post are really interesting.Some have made me laugh. I am really enjoying this treasure hunt. I like to make small figures and I try to sand the spots that I can but I must tell you it is not one of my favorite thing to do. I am just now getting into making beads. I have noticed a real big difference in the look of beads when I take the time to sand and buff. Buffing is another problem area for me. I haven't had the problem that Sue had but I am a little afraid of my dremel tool also.

Definitely SAND. I have not made any beads yet. Just a newbie and I started with an animal. The pictures of the beads you made are gorgeous, they shine like glass beads, which was all I needed to convince me to sand.

I'm glad to see that you realize the importance of sanding!! I really does make a huge difference!

Sue that is a weird story about your Dremel getting caught in your fingers! Were you wearing rings? If you were you will need to take them off. Plus I don't really understand why there were long strings on the wheel, unless it was completely worn down or wasn't sewn in the middle.

With any power tools you do need to be extremely careful though. Follow all safety rules that came with the machine and never operate when you can't be completely focused.

Don't be afraid of them though. Power tools should be respected not feared. After all, you're not afraid of your blenders are you?

Last blog post..Jewellery Making Beads Using Blue Gingham Polymer Clay Cane Designs

I believe all poymer clay objects should be sanded! I sand mine even little tiny clay mosaic tiles have to be sanded to bring out the beautiful shine & shimmer. So I say you right if you do not sand you only giving your project half the effort you should & the "bead slave" well of course that would be the hubby!!LOL!! now to check out the other page on sanding to make sure I'm doing it right!LOL!!

Thank you

abby

Alright, I'm sold on the idea of sanding. Now…I seem to be missing some finger nails!! How do you ladies get around that problem…or am I just doing it all wrong?!?!

Pepper,
I finally had some fingernails grow for me and I took up this hobby….I don't think you are suppose to have fingernails if you work with polymer clay. Bye, Bye fingernails.

I found you Cindy by typing in on google how to sand polymer clay. OMG the beads I have made are so smooth. Now I need to get the future polish. Thank you so much for the tips. Your tutorials are so wonferful. Oh ya and yes the fingernails are gone. lol

Yeah my nails have never been that long. Healthy yes, because they are getting lots of blood circulation due to all the work I give my fingers. But long? No! Between my claying, gardening and house work, they never seem to get a chance to grow long. Besides, they'd just get in the way anyhow.

If I do need some nice nails for a wedding or something, I'll have to make up a set of Fimo Nailart ones for myself!

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Slicing Fimo Nail Art Canes | Sculpey Polymer Clay Cake Toppers

Cindy,

I believe the adage "anything worth doing is worth doing it right". Sanding is a vital part of "doing it right". Learning to sand properly is essential to success .

Rubber kitchen gloves may save some fingernails. Haven't tried them myself because my nails are very short.

Sanding being the least fun part of making beads, is really one of the most rewaring parts!!!

I agree MJ and Marijke!!!

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Dragonfly Pendant Jewelry Necklace – Fimo Rubber Stamping Techniques

My LOVE of polymer clay has a lot to do with the incredible feel of the finished product.
I tend to "pet" my finished works, and enjoy the silken feel, and this is only possible if it is sanded.

I agree, I have seen many beads and the ones that have been sanded, to me, just pop out more and catch my eye quicker.
I have yet to do this step, as I have not made anything worth sanding, my items so far have ended up in the fish bowl for decoration, but as soon as I make something that anyone can recognize, I intend to bring out the brilliance and do this extra and necessary step.
Hugs
Lisa

I learned to make polymer clay buttons at a sewing convention a while back and sanding was high on the priorities and we saw why in the end, makes a huge difference. I was so excited by the class that I collected all the bits and bobs to do this craft (even pinched a toaster oven from my mum – she was ready for a new one anyway). I also asked my husband to buy me a dremel tool for christmas to polish. Now going through the treasure hunt I am inspired to get it all off the shelf and actually use it and put the sewing aside for a bit.

As soon as I learn some more about polymer clay and the techniques – thanks so much to you and all your knowledge – I am going to find myself a sanding slave! What a great article. The thing I like about your writing and the articles is they are short, direct and to the point. That way i can get the information, absorb it into my tiny pea brain and then try it out. I usually read your articles 3-4 times and then dash off, tripping over dogs, cats and husband to my little clay table and testing out the latest recipe or tip. So far, I have avoided stepping on any pets! Thanks so much for all the information.

@Kody: I can totally relate… I am always rubbing my beads in my fingers! I think most of us artists and crafters are a tactile bunch!

@LisaG: Go get those beads out of the fishbowl and sand them… You'll be surprised! Even the ones you don't think are worth sanding can look great once they are!

@Linda: Almost all the techniques I show you for making beads, applies to making buttons as well. Your love of sewing and of polymer clay can be easily combined… What could be better than that!

@Pamela: Great comment! Love the tripping over the pets part!

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Faux Turquoise Jewelry Bracelet – Polymer Clay Bead Making Projects

I never thought of sanding my clay before atleast not in the way that makes them shine so beautifuly. You are a wonderful artist and teacher.

Thank you Daisy! Try it… it makes a huge difference!

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Cool Polymer Clay Tutorial – A Fimo and Sculpey Cane Making Tip

this was the first free clip that i watched & having been to a craft show at the weekend I can now see the diference to a proffesional looking bead finish to those dull ones that were on sale.Which stall would you chooseto llok at, flat lifeless colour or the shiny bright one?

A friend gave me my first box of Sculpey (dull, white, regular Sculpey) 4 years ago. I loved shaping and sculpting it, but after baking it was so dull, and even paint didn't really bring my creations to life, so I put the box away and forgot about it.

Then one day I discovered Sculpey III, and the love affair began. I bought a book, learned online, experimented with canes, and even borrowed a Dreml so I could sand. Dry sanding (with or without the Dreml) did not go well and seemed impossible, so I dropped it, but I was still making things and wishing they could somehow look more "professional," more POLISHED.

Nine months went by, and when I finished graduate school I started eating up any information I could find on the web about polymer clay. In particular I was searching for a way to sand my beads and pendants. That's how I found you, Cindy. Your video taught me how to wet sand, buff, and polish my pieces — the RIGHT way, and with fantastic results. Suddenly the colors and sparkles (pearl quality) that were there before baking were visible again!

I no longer worry that my beads are shabby looking because they don't look professional. Now I am a confident Clay Junkie because I know sanding makes all the difference. And I'm a petter! I love to stroke my necklaces, and I'm so proud of how perfect they are once sanded, buffed, and polished like a pro.

Thanks to you I feel like I can share my work with others!

…now if you can just teach me how to be a better sander with the ROUND beads!

Kimberlee you have made my day!!! What a wonderful comment! A story like yours will be inspiring to so many others learning how to make polymer clay beads.

I wrote this post because I knew how important sanding was to getting a professional look. But I was seeing a lot of people teaching new students that sanding was a 'take it or leave it' type thing. That you really didn't have to bother because it would look just as good if you just glazed it! Wrong!!!

I put this post in the treasure hunt because I'd didn't think people were reading it. Well by reading your comment and the other's above it was all worth it!

Now there are several of you making fabulous beads and being proud of them… Gaining confidence!! And for a teacher… What could be better than that!!

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Make Polymer Clay Bathroom Knobs | Glass Beads | Clay Color Mixing

Hi Cindy,

Since I learned from you that sanding is so very important in getting the beauty to come shining through our polymer clay pieces, I just thought I'd share with you the cool tricks that I learned while trying to sand some really small hearts. I had originally made the hearts, just for fun, by cutting them out of a marbleized sheet of clay from bits of left over clay, with a very small heart shaped cutter. A dear friend of mine makes greeting cards. She saw these tiny thin little hearts that I had made. She thought that they would look good on her cards. I only had two of them when she saw them.

Well, my friend wanted quite a few of these little hearts, and I thought, how in the world am I going to sand each one of these little guys!?!

Well, I got real creative, and thought, what would Cindy Lietz do? I went and got something called a "Scum Buster" from underneath my kitchen cupboard. It is a battery operated hand held device made for cleaning in tight spaces. I pulled the hairs out of one of the detachable heads, and then attached different grits (400, 800 and 100) of wet/dry sandpaper (cut to fit the round top of the Scum Buster) to self stick industrial strength Velcro.

Then, I laid each heart onto a dampened terry washcloth on the table, and sanded each side of each heart using the different grits, and plenty of water. The fibers of the terry cloth held the hearts in place as I sanded!!! It worked!!! I touched each heart up with Future Floor Polish (as I also learned from you!) and I ended up with a handful of shiny marbled hearts to give to my friend for her cards, and she loves them!!! I was so excited that I just had to share this with you!

Cindy, if you had not taught me the importance of sanding our polymer clay pieces, none of this would have happened! I would not be able to give my friend the tiny and very shiny little hearts, and she would not now be using them on her greeting cards!!! Thank you as always :)

Warmly and Sincerely, Cindy Erickson

Cindy,

My humble apologies!!! I was so excited to tell you about my discoveries in my last post on this page that I accidentally gave you the wrong name of the tool I used to make it easier to sand my small hearts. It is a SONIC SCRUBBER…not Scum Buster. The Sonic Scrubber is a tool with a small head on it much like an electric toothbrush, only bigger. Please accept my apology for my mistake. Sometimes it would be nice to be able to go back and erase what is posted…oh well…no one is perfect:)

Thanks, Cindy Erickson

Cindy WOW!!! That is awesome! How Macguiver of you!

(If you are younger than 40 and have no idea who Macguiver is, he was the kind of guy who could build a helicopter with a stick of gum and a popsicle stick!)

You weren't so far off with the Scum Buster 'mistake' by the way. I have heard of several people who have done exactly what you did and used a Scum Buster.

The Sonic scrubber is new to me however. Great thinking! Way to make things work for you!

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Pricing Jewelry Focal Beads on Etsy – Tips for Polymer Clay Artists

Thanks, Cindy…and yes, I AM old enough to know Macguiver! I turned 50 just a few months ago…so that makes me a 50 year old polymer clay BABY!!!

:) Cindy Erickson

Holy cow. I have my sonic scrubber in my "studio" trying to figure out how to make it work. I saw a similar device for sale for PC polishing for $35 and thought I can save some money if I can figure this out. I just hadn't decided how to make the sandpaper part work (which is the most important part or maybe I should say the only part). Thank you Cindy E for your help and thank you Cindy L for providing a forum for idea exchanges.
I am not going to get into the age thing. Let's just say my oldest daughter is almost your age Cindy E. See it's never to late to learn something new, especially if you are able to have such good friends as I have met on this site, to help you.

Thanks again.

You're welcome girls! Keep up the great comments!

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Scallop Shell Pendant Jewelry by Polymer Clay Artist Tina Holden

You made MY day with your reply, Cindy! I just can't emphasize how much difference sanding has made to me!

And I want to share with others that I also had problems with sanding away my (already short) nails, right down to the quick in the middle of one of them. I had even rubbed my skin raw without realizing it! Painful! And funny-shaped nails to boot! Taking care not touch the sand paper just wasn't enough to keep this from happening again with the bead shape and size I was working with. So I bought a box of disposable rubber gloves (surgical type)–size small so I can still feel what I am doing. I use one only on the hand holding the bead I'm sanding. When I notice a little tear in the glove, I appreciate that it wasn't my skin and toss it out. One glove usually gets me through a sanding session, but I have gone through two on occasion.

Oh! and MacGyver is one of my favorite references (and verbs). I remember the TV show vividly and I'm UNDER 40!

Kimberlee: Great glove tip! It will be helpful for those sanding away their fingertips…ouch!

I couldn't remember when Macguiver aired and I didn't want all the young ones on this blog getting lost so I went with my age as a reference point. Do you remember when it was on?

And yes it does make a great verb! I have 'Macguivered' many projects in my life!

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Fimo Clay, Premo, Sculpey – Which is Best for Cane Making + Sculpting

The sign of a true PC artist is short uneven finger nails with small bits of clay wedged under them. I have showered and gone to work to look down and see some thing that looks like dirt under my nails, and had to explain to the other person why it's there. Guess that is one way to market our products!!

I bought a Black and Decker Kitchen Scrubber which is similar Cindy E's sonic scrubber but has only one handle, got it from Target online for $14.99-not available in stores. It has 3 inch round Velcro ad on top and attach my sandpaper by sticking th opposite side of Velcro; soft side to loop side. It is safe for wet sanding because it was made to be submersible. It is battery operated and spinds quickly enough to get the job done but is not like the speed of a Dremel. I really like the idea of putting on a wash clothe as it can b hard to hold onto a wet slippery bead. I use a Dremel for buffing and it scares my husband too death, your would think I was running a chain saw; told him to "Keep Out", this is a girl thing.

Hehehe that is so funny about your husband! I like your idea of using a kitchen scrubber for sanding. Bet it works well!

Thanks for sharing how you converted it over for bead sanding. That will be quite helpful to others!

I just sanded my very first beads. I decided I don't like to sand! But I like how shiny the beads came out. Now, on to read the posts about the tumblers……..

I know what you mean Joyce sanding is a lot of work! The tumbling does save some time. They sure look pretty when they're sanded up nice don't they?!

I found this site about a week ago and got a membership. I have always be intimidated with clay, but because of your calm teachings I think I can, I think I can, by George I did make my first beads and you are right, while sanding is hard work it really does make a difference. I was trying to find a way to sand without making my hands cramp up and ran across this information: planetjune.com/blog/detail-sander-ex-toothbrush/. It gives illustrated details on how to convert an electric toothbrush to a mini sander for your beads. I'm going out today to buy me a toothbrush. Thought I'd share this idea.

Cheryl welcome, it is fantastic having you here! Thank you so much for sharing your story and your tip. I popped by your site and I see you are adding a few polymer clay features to your handmade bags. Way to go! They look great!

Hi,
I am learning a wealth of info from your site. I am just starting with polymer clay and had now idea you were supose to sand and buff after you have baked them. Off to start sanding.
Thanks so much!