Step 1
Condition the black Fimo Classic or
Fimo Soft polymer clay, kneading it by hand until it is soft and pliable.
Roll some out into a log, approx 10 mm diameter. Leave the rest aside to be
used later as and when it is needed.
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Step 2
Lay the log against the steel ruler.
Using a tissue blade or craft knife, measure and cut the log into sections,
each 15 mm long. You will need 18 sections in all for this project. Roll and cut more clay
logs until you have enough sections.
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Step 3
Roll each section into a
round ball. Set the three different Microfine glitters into dishes to make
them easier to use. Coat each ball thoroughly with glitter,
rolling it again in your palms after to set the glitter well into the clay.
Coat 6 balls with each colour glitter. |
Step 4
Shape the balls to make them into the
different types of
beads. I have left 6 round, made 6 triangular by pinching the clay between
my thumbs and forefingers, and rolled the final 6 along the surface to
elongate them into barrel shapes. However, you can make them whatever shape
you wish of course!
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Step 5
Pierce each bead to make the
threading hole. Taking each in turn twist a wooden toothpick carefully into
the clay from one side until it just starts to emerge on the opposite side.
Using this mark as a guide, remove the toothpick and now pierce from this
point back into the bead to complete the hole neatly.
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Step 6
Leave each bead on its toothpick
for baking. Fold a piece of card concertina style to support the beads on a
baking tray. Rest the beads on the folds as shown and then bake following the
clay manufacturer's instructions. Once baked, allow all the beads to cool
and then remove them from the wooden toothpicks.
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Step 7
Varnish all the beads to protect the
glitter and bring out the colours. Support the beads on the end of the
wooden toothpicks and stab them into a blob of scrap clay or a block of
polystyrene until they are completely dry.
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Step 8
Cut a length of embroidery yarn. You
will need around a metre and a half. Starting in the middle, make a knot and
thread on one of the glitter beads. Knot the thread the other side of the
bead to secure it in place.
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Step 9
Make another knot about 2 to 3 cm
away from the glitter bead. Thread on a couple of amber chip beads and then
knot again to secure the amber chips. You may need to use a needle or a
piece of bent over wire to aid threading on the amber chips, but don't worry
-they have quite big holes!
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Step 10
Continue working out from in the
centre in each direction, knotting on amber chips and glitter beads
alternately with a gap between each section. Continue until you
have used 6 glitter beads in total. When finished, you should have a nice
long tail-end of thread left over on each side of the beads.
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Step 11
Repeat the process to make another
two strands of knotted beads. Hold the three strands together and stagger
them so the beads off-set nicely. When you are happy, knot the three
strands together, close to where the last beads finish. Repeat the process
for the opposite side.
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Step 12
Plait together the remaining threads on each side of the necklace to
make the tie-cords. Use a little masking tape to secure the necklace to the
table as you work. When you are happy with the length of the tie-cords (making sure they match) tie another knot to secure and then
just wear and
enjoy!
Text & Images © Emma Ralph
2005. May not be printed, distributed or reproduced electronically without
the author's written permission.
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