{"id":172,"date":"2008-08-06T18:06:22","date_gmt":"2008-08-07T01:06:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/polymer-clay-tutorials-piercing-lentil-beads-unique-bead-shapes\/172\/"},"modified":"2008-08-06T18:06:22","modified_gmt":"2008-08-07T01:06:22","slug":"polymer-clay-tutorials-piercing-lentil-beads-unique-bead-shapes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/polymer-clay-tutorials-piercing-lentil-beads-unique-bead-shapes\/172\/","title":{"rendered":"Polymer Clay Tutorials | Piercing Lentil Beads | Unique Bead Shapes"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Hole<\/p>\n

6 tips on how to pierce holes through swirly lentils for jewelry making projects:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

The polymer clay lentil bead (aka swirly beads) has a very unique shape that resembles natural lentils used in various culinary dishes. But it’s<\/span> this unique form that poses challenges when drilling holes through them for stringing into necklaces, bracelets and other handmade jewellery projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are 6 important tips to keep in mind:<\/span><\/p>\n

1)<\/b><\/span> Always let a freshly swirled lentil bead rest for awhile before putting a hole through it. This allows the clay to cool and firm up right to the core of the bead. Less distortion will happen when making the holes.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>2) <\/b><\/span>Wear gloves or coat your finger tips with cornstarch to avoid getting finger prints on your bead.<\/span><\/p>\n

3)<\/b><\/span> Use a light touch. Try not to squeeze your bead while you are piercing it.<\/span><\/p>\n

4)<\/b><\/span> Cover your bead piercing pins with cornstarch so that they enter the clay with less resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n

5)<\/b><\/span> Twist the pin gently as you push it into the clay.<\/span><\/p>\n

6)<\/b><\/span> Go slow. This will create less distortion at the edges of the bead and will allow you to redirect the hole if it is a little off.<\/span><\/p>\n

For all of you visual learners, the next edition of my upcoming Polymer Clay Tutorial Video Newsletter will demonstrate the bead piercing techniques listed above. No matter how well I try to describe this process in words, a video is always better for learning exactly how to do it right. If you don’t already receive my newsletter, you can sign up here: Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List<\/a>
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And if you have never swirled these unique bead shapes before, here are a few previous posts to check out:
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