{"id":19990,"date":"2015-09-14T05:05:20","date_gmt":"2015-09-14T12:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/?p=19990"},"modified":"2015-09-29T17:59:11","modified_gmt":"2015-09-30T00:59:11","slug":"secrets-rolling-perfect-swirly-lentil-beads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/secrets-rolling-perfect-swirly-lentil-beads\/19990\/","title":{"rendered":"Secrets For Rolling The Perfect Swirly Lentil Bead"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Rolling<\/a>Video #698:<\/span> When you get this one right, I’m sure you’ll agree it is one of the most addictive polymer clay beads you can make.<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n

In this video I’m going to share with you the secrets to rolling the perfect Swirly Lentil Beads from Polymer Clay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Swirly Lentil beads are quite addictive to make… it is fun to watch the color pull up from the sides and twist into a wonderful swirl in the center.<\/span><\/p>\n

They can be made with scrap clay, with canes or with perfectly planned sections of clay.<\/span><\/p>\n

They are fairly easy to make but they do take practice and there are a few tips and tricks to getting them right.<\/span><\/p>\n

You’ll need a smooth surface to work on. I am using the We-R Memory Keepers Glass Mat Review for Polymer Clay.<\/span><\/p>\n

And you will need a small piece of smooth see-through material such as an acrylic stamp block, a piece of Plexiglas, or even an old cd case.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the rolling process there are a few thing you must remember. Keep the acrylic block level. Use your fingertips like little table legs, to keep your top plastic surface plastic level, and at the right height.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your top plastic surface is uneven, the bead won’t be round.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep your circular motions even. Too big, and the bead will become a pointy bi-cone bead. Too small and the bead will become very flat and hard to roll.<\/span><\/p>\n

Same goes for the pressure. Too light and the bead will be pointy, and to hard the bead flattens out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Color gets pulled from the outside edges and swirled into the center. So remember that when placing your patterns or cane slices on the bead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Always do your circles in the same direction. If you change directions partway through, the swirl will untwist and start going in the other direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

In can take a while to get the swirl you want.<\/span><\/p>\n

Firm clay moves slowly and will take more turns… soft clay moves quickly, but can be harder to keep the shape even.<\/span><\/p>\n

After rolling, let the clay rest for a bit to firm up. Do another quick roll to reshape before baking.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you try and handle a freshly rolled lentil bead without allowing it to rest and cool down, it can become distorted and will finger printed easily.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are interested in a video on piercing lentil beads or other lentil bead videos, leave a comment in the section below.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n