May 18, 2009

Bump beads made easy!



Why order expensive bump beads when you can make them yourself?!

I used polymer clay(I got mine in a kit walmart with lots of colors for 9 bucks or you can go to a craft store and get them one by one for less than 2 bucks each) You can also use fimo but in my oppion they are a bit more in price and I think they are the same.



Preheat your oven.

Now Pick two colors you want to use.

Condition your clay by squsihing it and rolling till it gets nice and soft in your hand.

Roll out your clay and cut in sections.

Take a section and roll into a ball.

Put it to the side till you get how many you would like to use.

Next I put the holes in them by using a toothpick...You can use any thing small enough to puncture a hole through them.

Now onto your other color, these will be your bumps.

Roll into a small thin snake.

I didnt cut I basicly pinched off small pieces and rolled them into little balls.

After you got enough go ahead and add them to your bead...no correct or wrong way. I just placed mine randomly.

After your done Place them in your oven at the given instructions on the package and bake them for what the directions say (i go for 250 degrees for ten mins but that is my oven so yours could be different)

After baking, take them out and let them kewl off for 15-30 mins.

I added acrylic varnish onto mine to have it shine but you dont have too. Also if you dont have varnish use clear nail polish, you get the same effect.

And Poof you got yourself bump beads!

3 comments:

Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor said...

I like your bump beads, they are very fun! I would bake them for a lot longer than ten minutes though. Even though they will appear cured, the inside will not be and the uncured plasticizers remaining in the bead will eventually break down the outside hardened layer and make your beads brittle. I bake all my beads, even the small one for 1 hour at 265F. You'll see a big difference in the hardness of your beads if you try it.

Sugar's Dream and RL said...

thanks hun, :D they are really fun to make, I tried having them in at 250 for more than 20 mins before and they burnt..not sure if its cause I have a gas stove or what. Bigger projects like pendants i can leave at most in there for a half hour before the color starts to look blacken. I am thinking of getting a little toaster oven to see if there would be much difference. :D

kiddomerriweather said...

Great tutorial! They look great! I love the new layout and you are so cool for adding my button! Love ya!

kiddo

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