"Earth" Beads Bracelet

"Earth" Beads Bracelet

These textured beads were not originally intended to be “Earth” Beads - but when I finished them the first thing that came to mind was that they reminded me of images of Earth!   Change the colors, and you’ll have an entirely different result, but they will still have a great dimensional texture…  This project is also featured this week on When Creativity Knocks. 

Materials: 

Makin’s Clay® - Blue 60g 

Metallic green microbeads 

JudiKins™ Diamond Glaze™

Green and blue glass “Indian” seed beads 

Toothpicks 

Jewelry wire, crimps, closure, jewelry pliers 

Instructions:

Roll balls of blue Makin’s Clay® to desired size. The number of balls will depend on the size you make, and the desired finished size for your bracelet.   7 Were made for this bracelet, and they are bout 1/2” in circumference. 

Pour a little Diamond Glaze™ onto a disposable surface and spread out to form a small puddle.  

Pour green metallic microbeads onto disposable surface.  

Quickly roll each bead throught he puddle a couple of times - the intention is NOT to completely coat the bead - just apply the glaze in random patterns. 

Immediately roll each bead into the microbeads.  Diamond Glaze is not just a glaze, it has adhesive qualities so the microbeads will stick to the clay bead where the glaze has been applied.  

Make holes by carefully inserting toothpicks through the center of each bead.   I chose to slightly flatten my beads, but you can leave them round if you prefer. 

Pour a small amount of Diamond Glaze into a small container (a medicine cup, even a cap from a shampoo bottle would work….. you want it small enough to not waste too much glaze, yet large enough to insert your clay beads.)   

Dip each bead into the glaze to completely cover surface.  Allow excess glaze to drip back into the container, then transfer the beads on the toothpicks to dry between two raised surfaces - this will allow excess glaze to drip from the bead.  While they are drying, watch for drips/distortions and carefully remove any undesired glaze with another toothpick.  

Let dry 24 hours.  Remove the toothpicks from the beads.  String onto jewelry wire with green and blue seed beads in desired pattern between each “Earth” bead.  Add crimps and closure.