Colour Blended Polymer Clay Beads

Mixing polymer clay colours together is an easy way to create a wide range of different shades. The blended beads can be threaded into subtle colour sequences for your jewellery designs.

Colour Blended Polymer Clay Beads

Skill Level

Beginner

Time to Make

2 hours + baking and cooling

Adult Supervision Needed

Yes

How to Make

  1. Cut 3 blocks of polymer clay in 3 different colours into 6 equal sections, making 18 pieces in total. Use the lines on the blocks as a guide for dividing them.
    Each piece will make 3 beads, 10-12mm diameter.
  2. Take 3 pieces of the clay, one from each colour, then cut each one into 3 equal sections, making 9 small pieces in total.
    Place each small piece of clay in the palm of your hand then roll it with your fingers into a smooth, round ball.
    Very carefully hold the ball between your thumb and forefinger then push a thick needle through the middle of the ball, or use a cocktail stick, or a very small ball-ended tool. Twist the tool as you push it through to help hold the bead in shape. Check the hole has widened all the way through. Try not to over handle the clay. Place each bead onto a tile or baking tray with the hole facing down.
  3. To start blending the colours, divide up 3 more of the (1/6 size) clay pieces into either halves, quarters or thirds. Press the pieces together in different combinations to make another 3 x strips, so they always amount to 1/6 in size.
    For example, you could combine half and half, one third and two thirds or a quarter and three quarters.
    Knead the colours together until the clay is evenly blended then divide each piece into 3 equal small sections. Roll the clay into beads then make holes through the middles.
    Using all 3 blended pieces of clay will make another 9 beads. During baking, the beads may flatten where they touch the tile or tray. To make the shapes more even, very gently squash the beads so the ball shape is slightly flattened at the top and bottom.
    To make completely round ball shapes, leave the unbaked beads on the cocktail sticks after making the holes, support the ends across a small ovenproof dish or ramekin then bake in the oven. Allow the beads to cool before unthreading them.
    To make some different blends or to add more beads, use some more clay pieces. For smaller or bigger sized beads, use less or more clay.
  4. Bake polymer clay for 30 minutes at 135C following the instructions on packaging. Allow to fully cool before handling.
  5. Arrange the beads in line on your work surface colour to check the number of beads and the colour positioning. Thread the beads onto thin elastic. Tie a secure knot at the end.
Colour Blended Polymer Clay Beads Colour Blended Polymer Clay Beads Colour Blended Polymer Clay Beads

Top Tip

Try not to over handle the clay. Place each bead onto a tile or baking tray with the hole facing down.