Polymer Clay Bead with Spiral Cane Slices

with Sue Heaser

This project shows you how to decorate a round bead with slices from a spiral cane made with polymer clay.  The technique works equally well with slices from a millefiori cane.

You will need a spiral cane (see here for how to make it), polymer clay in a contrasting or matching colour, and a tool, such as the needle tool, to pierce the bead once it is made.

The bead pictured was pierced with a large darning needle before being baked.  It was then strung on a 1 metre length of leather thong. 

Step 1 

First cut plenty of slices from the cane (see here for how to do it)

Step 2

Make a round bead following the instructions here. Now apply slices of cane all over the bead. You can apply them randomly or evenly as you wish.

Step 3

The result should look like this. The slices are proud of the clay surface. If you like, you can pierce the bead at this point. After baking, the slices will be strongly attached to the bead. Alternatively, you can go on to the next step to roll the slices into the bead surface.

Step 4

Lay the bead in the palm of one hand and press the palm of the other hand lightly over it. Rotate the top hand, keeping an even pressure. Keep inspecting the bead to check its progress - the cane slices will sink into the bead surface until the bead is smooth.

Step 5

Now pierce the bead following the instructions here and roll the bead on your palm in the same way.  The size of the hole will determine what you use to string the bead.

 

Step 6

Bake the bead before stringing it to make a necklace.