Bobbin beads with polymer clay

SUPPLIES 

• 21 mm bead 
• 1⁄2–1 oz. polymer clay in each of 1–3 colors
• steel sewing machine bobbin
• polymer clay glaze
• mica powder or gold-leafing pen (optional)
• needle tool
• pasta machine *
• texture sheets
• tissue blade
• toaster oven
• water spray bottle
• wet sandpaper (400 grit)
  
  * Dedicated to the use of polymer clay

INSTRUCTIONS

Choose which style or styles of beads you want to make. All of them start with the same base, and then you may choose your desired surface treatment or inset.

For an exact oven temperature, use an oven thermometer. You can also bake your clay in a home oven or convection oven.

Condition each block of clay.

Base

1. Using 1/4 oz. scrap or new clay of any color, set the pasta machine to the second thickest setting, and roll a sheet about 4 x 4 in. (10 x 10 cm). 

2. Measure the height of the cylinder in the center of the bobbin (about 3⁄8 in./1 cm), and cut a strip of clay to that measurement. 

3. Wrap the strip around the center of the bobbin (PHOTO A). Continue cutting strips and wrapping until the bobbin is filled to about 1⁄8 in. (3 mm) from the edge. Press the clay firmly to smooth the seam and secure it in place without any gaps or air bubbles.

4. Repeat steps 1–3 for additional bobbins if desired.

Textured surface

1. Using about 1⁄4 oz. of any color clay, set the pasta machine to the second thickest setting, and roll a sheet that is about 4 x 4 in. (10 x 10 cm). 

2. Spritz the texture sheet with water, and place it on the clay. Roll the texture sheet and clay through the pasta machine. Remove the texture sheet.

3. Cut a strip of textured clay as in step 2 of “Base,” and wrap it around the prepared base of a bobbin. Trim the edges of the strip to meet (PHOTO B). Smooth the edges, and retexture the seam if necessary, using a needle tool.

4. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, bake the clay in the toaster oven, and allow it to cool completely.

Metallic inset

1. Follow the instructions for “Textured surface.”

2. Using a gold-leafing pen, trace the indentations (PHOTO C), and let dry.

3. Using wet sandpaper, sand the clay to remove any unwanted marks.

4. Apply glaze to seal in the inset, and let dry.

Mica inset

1. Using about 1⁄4 oz. of any color clay, set the pasta machine to the second thickest setting, and roll a sheet that is about 4 x 4 in. (10 x 10 cm). 

2. Coat the surface of the clay with mica powder (PHOTO D).

3. Texture the clay, wrap the bobbin, and bake as in steps 2–4 of “Textured surface.” 

4. Using wet sandpaper, sand the clay to remove the mica powder from the raised surface, leaving it in the indentations (PHOTO E).

5. Apply glaze to seal in the inset, and let dry.

On-lay surface

1. Using about 1⁄4 oz. of any color clay, set the pasta machine to the second thickest setting, and roll a sheet that is about 4 x 4 in. (10 x 10 cm). 

2. Cut a strip of untextured clay, and wrap the bobbin as in steps 2 and 3 of “Base.”

3. Decorate the outer strip of clay with small dots, stripes, swirls, shapes, or canes of clay in different colors (PHOTO F).

4. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, bake the clay in the toaster oven, and allow it to cool completely