GIFT  TIME—MOTHER’S DAY, CHRISTMAS, ETC.—SCULPTY BEADS

   In my class’s we have astonished mothers with the most beautiful bead creations   the children hand crafted. We use the polymer clay that can be found in all the craft stores such as Michaels, or AC Moore. There are a few different brands and I use what is on sale.  One of the brands I use is Sculpty.  Sometimes the store marks the bricks down to $1.00 each. I usually buy at least 10 colors so they can be mixed into all kinds of marbleized patterns. I start by explaining how to soften the clay to be useable and show the kids how to mix colors and make shapes




. Warn them not to mix too much or the clay will become one solid color and not a beautiful colorful mixture. I show them how to roll 1 to 3 colors, then twist together or braid together to make colorful beads. They can also put polka dots  around, or any other shapes on the beads. The beads can be made into many shapes, not just round and I also demonstrate that. For young children I have them use a rounded toothpick to make the holes.

 Older kids or adults can use a smaller pin for the hole maker. The way I explain it is that the hole is ok only when you can look into it and see the outside, otherwise you have  not completed a full hole for the bead string to go through.

To start I allow them about 2 inches from each color brick and let them start and explain not to make the bead so large  it  won’t cook. After they have made their shapes and run out of material I will let them get more. You will be surprised how much they love making the beads. I have had classes, even kindergarteners not want to stop and would continue for as much as 3 hours and ask to do more the next day

Next I explain about symmetry, patterning, and centerpieces and show how the larger shapes can be the centerpiece and how on beads you want each side to match.  You as the teacher will have to go around and help put the holes in the right way for the centerpiece and check that the beads get the holes made correctly before cooking. 

One of my favorite centerpieces is the one of a snail. I have had a kindergartener make children and animals as centerpieces. Gemstones, glass, and metal objects can also be used as centerpieces if you put the clay around them or make a bail on top from the sculpty. Do not try to use plastic as it will melt when cooked.

The most difficult part of the whole project is for the teacher now. All the beads have to be cooked at 275 degrees for 15 minutes and the hard part is getting everyone’s correct beads back to them. What I do is to give each bead  maker a zip lock bag with their name in it and have them put the beads they made in.  After trial and error I think I have the perfectly easy way to cook beads for a class of 20 in just a few hours. I use a toaster oven. Put aluminum foil on the oven tray and with a permanent marker divide into 4 parts .Put the name of the person whose beads you are cooking on each division. You do not have to throw out the foil each time you cook—just cross out the name and put another name when cooking again. If you have adults they can take their beads home and cook them. In a class, if you are lucky and have a toaster oven it can be done in the class while everyone is working. It will smell a little but don’t worry, it is safe.

When stringing time comes I bring in all types of other beads to add to the handmade polymer beads to add more interest. A mixed media necklace usually gives a more professional look the project. To better visualize their design I have them lay the beads out on a paper plate. This helps keep the beads  and  design together and prevents them from falling to the floor all the time.  For stringing I use a tiger tail cord which is plastic coated around wire. It holds up better than cord and other stringing material. You will need crimp beads to end the necklace or bracelet, jump rings to attach the clasp and end. You can also use memory wire for necklaces or bracelets. I use chain nose pliers, and round nose pliers and clippers to put it all together.

Parents have been amazed at what their children can handcraft. Most look just like what is featured in the stores. I have had parents come and tell me their friends ask where they bought their necklaces and one even told me the exclusive clothing shop in our town asked where she got the necklace so she could carry them in her shop. We also participated in a outside fair in town for a money - making event and the necklaces sold from $18 to $38 and it wasn’t the parents who bought them.