How to Make Clay Beads

I am not going to lie, I am SUPER pumped about this DIY project!  My version of the lovely Anthropologie Cactus Paddle necklace turned out almost identical to theirs!  I went with a minty color (I am currently obsessed with anything and everything mint!).  Let me know what you think! Who plans on giving this CIY project a try?

Supplies:

– Fimo Effects Clay (any clay that can be baked. I got mine from Joann’s in “Mint”)

– Necklace Template

– Toothpick (or anything you can use to put a hole in your clay)

– Four 10mm jump rings

– Two 5mm jump rings

– One yard of ribbon

– Gloss shine (I used the spray kind)

– Jewelry pliers (or regular pliers)

– Knife

– Lighter

– Glue 

{Step 1}: Cut out the four pieces of the Necklace Template (above).  Then, pinch off a corner of your clay and roll it into a round ball.

{Step 2}: Roll out your dough until it is about 4mm thick. 

{Step 3}: Place your smallest “bead” on your clay and use your knife to cut around the entire template.  Cut out the number of “beads” on each template.

{Step 4}: After your “bead” is cut out, use your fingers to smooth around the edges as they will be a bit jagged from your knife.  Don’t push to hard, you don’t want to ruin the shape of the “bead”.  Once your bead is smooth, take your toothpick and make a hole in the ends of your “bead”.  Use your template as a guide.

{Step 5}: Repeat steps 1-4 for all of your “beads”.  Your “beads” should look like the ones below.

{Step 6}: Bake your beads according the directions on the package.  After they are done baking, let them cool off.  Once they are cool, spray them with your gloss spray, then let them dry.

{Step 7}: Take your jewelry pliers and open all of your jump rings.

{Step 8}: Take your 10mm jump rings and put them through the holes of your “beads” connecting them to one another.  Start with the largest “bead” working your way up to the smallest “bead”.  Then, take your 5mm jump rings and add them to the jump rings at the end of your smallest “bead”.

{Step 9}: Grab your yard of ribbon.  Fold it in half, then cut it. 

{Step 10}: Take your ribbon and fold the end of it over slightly so you have a loop.  Run the loop through your jump ring.

{Step 11}: Take your ribbon and run it through the loop you just made and pull.  This will secure your ribbon to your jump ring.  Take your lighter and run it over the exposed parts of your ribbon so they do not fray.  Dab some glue on the ribbon where you made your knot and glue to the back of the ribbon.

 You are finished!