Making A Bead

Here is the process of making a simple bead. This bead is for the the stained glass crosses.  First, I create a design by sketching something on a piece of paper. Then I choose the colors of clay to use.  I usually end up mixing a few clays to get the right color.  Then I have knead the with a rolling pin and my hands to make it soft and pliable.  Then I get started on my design.  In the case of the stain glass window cross, I have shape the clay into triangles and flatten the black clay to fit around the triangles.  After lots of forming and stretching and flattening, my design is finished and I am able to start reducing the cane.  When the clay cane gets to the size I need it, I start slicing the beads.  Before I can bake the beads, I must punch tiny holes in each one.  It can take several days to make a very detailed cane and that's not counting all the slicing and punching of the beads once I am finished.  An easier cane such as this one would only take 3-4 hours, but that's not counting slicing and punching wholes. 

Making clay beads is a lot of work and takes much patience and practice.  To view other beads I have made, visit my blog.  Leave a comment or two- I'd love to hear from you!

Please note: My website and blog are NOT tutorials on bead making.  I only use the photos on bead making to show the creative process for customers and anyone interested to gain a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into each bead and for the uniqueness of my beads.

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