How to Make Quilted Silver Beads

After making the leaf bead, I was impressed with the detail made possible by the metal clay. Therefore, I decided to use the same technique but create a different look. When I finished making these beads, I thought they looked as though they had been "quilted." Before firing, each bead weighed about 5.43 grams. After firing, they are about 3.8 grams each. The size and weight of your beads may depend on how large you make them and the size of the straw that you use for creating the holes in the beads.

To make these beads, you'll need:

6 playing cards
a small ball of PMC (about 6 grams)
roller
olive oil
ruler
paint brush
fine sand paper or emery board
*a small piece of mesh cloth
a clean surface to work on
Exacto ® knife
2 inch piece of plastic straw
kiln
vermiculite
jeweler's file or emery board

*This mesh material should be easy to find at most fabric stores because they usually carry a variety of trims and laces. If you've ever sewn, you might even have a bag of scraps around that some interesting textures to try.

1. Divide your playing cards into two stacks with three cards in each stack and set them on your work surface with a few inches between each stack.

2. Place your ball of clay in between the stacks.

3. Rub some olive oil on your roller.

4. You should have some oil on your hands now, so take the piece of cloth in between your hands and get it a little oily. It doesn't need much oil, but this will help keep it from sticking to your clay.

5. Roll out the clay.

6. Now place your mesh cloth over the flat clay.

7. Roll out the clay again so that the mesh cloth is pressed into the clay, and pull off the cloth.

8. Now use the knife to cut out a square of clay that measures approximately 1 inch wide and 1 ¼ inch long. Make sure to cut the piece so that all the little squares created by the mesh are even.

9. Take the clay piece and warp it around your straw. I had a little extra clay in my length, so after wrapping it around the straw, I cut off the excess.

10. You want to seal both ends of the clay that are wrapped around the straw together. I used the end of a small paint brush to push the clay together. Be very careful when you do this so that you don't mess up the design on your clay.

11. To ensure that one side of the bead isn't flat, either set the straw up right in a bowl of vermiculite so that the clay is able to dry, or you can position the straw over a small jar.

12. Once the clay is dry, you may need to use fine sand paper or an emery board to file the ends of the bead so that they are even.

13. Fire your beads in a kiln at 1650 degrees F or 900 degrees C for two hours. During the firing process, be careful of the fumes from the plastic straw that will burn out. These are toxic! Do not breath in these toxic fumes!

14. Finish your beads by polishing them.

These quilted beads just show one way to use this technique. So, look around your house for some interesting textures you can roll into your metal clay.

Sterling Silver Beads Wholesale Store http://www.dewatabali.com

---

Ribbons and Lace, Embroidery Cotton, and Hemp to Spice Up Your Scrapbooks

Ribbon and lace are by far the most common, and... Read More

Blown Glass: They Do Still Make It Like They Used To

Blown art glass is quickly becoming one of the fastest... Read More

Create A Gift Basket For A Cat Lover!

The choice of what gift to give your family and... Read More

More Than A Memory- A Legacy

Everyone has that box of pictures either in a close... Read More

The Wonderful Art of Bonsai

The potential for enjoyment of Bonsai trees is enormous. These... Read More

Molding Leather Armor

In order to mould leather armor, soak it in water... Read More

How to Value Your Jewelry at Home or Work

Many thanks for taking the time to read this compact... Read More

A Brief History of Candles

For centuries man's progress has been lighted by candles. However,... Read More

What Do I Need to Start Scrapbooking?

The best thing about scrapbooking is that although there are... Read More

Handmade Quilts are Made with Love and Make Great Family Heirlooms!

Today's handmade quilts are more like a work of art... Read More

Wax Pencils, Stickers, and Rubber Stamping in Your Scrapbooks

Another important writing implement for scrapbooking is a wax pencil.... Read More

Why Do I (You) Collect?

I just got back from the vet with my cat... Read More

Aromatherapy Candles - How to Select the Right Scent

Feel sad, tired, or a little bit stressed? Something as... Read More

Why You Should Race RC Cars, and Not Just Bash

For those of you who have been racing your RC... Read More

Bartering: A Modern Day Phenomenon

Back in the early days of America, families didn't have... Read More

Introduction to Hobby Metal Casting for the Practical Home Mechanic - Engineer

Your enjoyment will start right from the moment you start... Read More

Invitation Envelopes ? Make or Break Your Party

What will separate your party from all the other events... Read More

Where Antiques Originate and How You Can Find Them

It's important to understand where antiques originate. Many antique buyers... Read More

Collectible Action Figures - Is About Fun Memories And More Money

Superhero action figures first stormed the doors of department stores... Read More

Candle Maintenance

Many people don't know that you can actually improve the... Read More

Creating Vacation Memories

My daughter and I recently had the opportunity to spend... Read More

Scrapbooking Teen Memories

By the time your teen is in high school, you... Read More

Friendship Albums

My 12-year-old daughter was mad at me when I refused... Read More

Fun with Origami!

Storing origamiThis is a great question. Many people want to... Read More

Why Do You Need to Have Your Tools Blade Sharpen After Work

If you like to do wood carving or making sculpture... Read More

Russian Nesting Dolls - The Beginning

According legend, first nested doll prototype appeared in Russia in... Read More

Decorative Metal Work Techniques From The Early 1900s

Today's Metal Craft workers should truly appreciate the artistic skills... Read More

Making a Chunk Candle

Making chunk candles is an and fun activity for all... Read More

Jewelry Insurance - Hints and Tips So You Dont Get Ripped Off

As crime and drug use increases, the risks involved in... Read More

Saltwater Coral Reef Aquariums - 5 Tips for Success

Do you dream of watching the natural beauty of the... Read More

Comic Book Supplies, Necessities of the Serious Collector

If you want to keep your comic book collection in... Read More

World Skills & Learning About Old World Skills

There was once a time when almost everyone acquired, or... Read More

I Didnt Know These Are Slowly Destroying My Scrapbooks!

Once you spend your precious time and energy creating a... Read More