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Earthenware
clay works well for Raku
beads if they are
smallish. (2 inches or
under) Raku is the Fired
finish we will be using
for this project.
Raku
clay can be used if
desired.
You can follow these
same steps using
porcelain or stoneware
clay.
Using a needle tool, cut
the clay 1/2' to 1"
size pieces, depending
on size of bead.
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Needle tool.: A
needle tool is easier to
cut the clay than a
knife.
Less surface area to
pull or stretch the clay
while cutting.
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Roll
the clay in between the
palm of your hands to
create a ball.
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Leave in the shape of a
ball for a round bead or
create, ovals, squares,
etc.
For Square or
Rectangle beads, press
on 2 sides while holding
between fingers then
move to the other 2
sides and do the same.
Repeat until the bead is
symmetrical.
Beads can be
twisted to create shapes
also.
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Create
hole in bead by pushing
a wooden skewer through
one end of bead until
just the tip of the
skewer is showing
through..
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Then
remove the skewer and
push in through the
other direction.
This keeps excess clay
from coming out on one
end and keeps the bead
in proportion.
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Use a stylus
tool to add decorations
while the bead is still
on the wood skewer. |
| Or..
you can gently roll the
bead on a rubber stamp
to add surface texture
to the clay. |
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Use
alphabet rubber stamps
to add letters to each
bead.. well the
clay surface decoration
options are almost
endless.. |
| This
is the simplest form of
making many beads in a
short amount of time. A
5 pound slab of clay
will create 200 to
300 small beads. |
