Creating SKEWER Polymer Beads
Skewer beads are made two ways: the LUMP method or SLAB method. For beginners, the LUMP method is a good starting point. Once you get the concept, you will want the additional control you get from the SLAB method. Polymer canes used in these techniques supplied by Tracy Callahan.

*See The Clay Store, in my Resource Guide under Susan and Friends. 

LUMP Method Skewer Beads

Supplies :

1/2 ounce of any color of Sculpey Premo! polymer clay
1 wooden skewer
1 plastic work sheet (dedicated to polymer clay)
1 flat blade cutter
1 pasta machine (dedicated to polymer clay)
1 toaster oven (dedicated to polymer clay)
Optional: 1 sculpting tool with wooden handle
Optional: 1 extra-large emery board
Optional: Sculpey Satin or Gloss Glaze

1. To create your first skewer base, take a lump of clay that is approximately 1/2 ounce in weight. It doesn’t matter what color clay you use.

2. Condition the clay following manufacturer’s directions.

3. Roll the clay between your hands until it resembles a barrel shape approx. 1/2" in diameter and 1-1/2" in length.

4. Place the skewer through the middle of the clay’s short end.

5. Pull the lump to the middle of the skewer, being careful to keep the skewer in the center of the clay.

6. Try to retain the barrel shape as you move the clay up the skewer.

 7. Now roll the clay on the skewer as you would roll out clay to make a snake. Use a clean, dry work surface that is dedicated to your polymer work. My work surface is an old Tupperware pie crust rolling mat.

NOTE: Don’t short cut CONDITIONING. Your beads will not harden if the clay is not properly conditioned. The polymer compounds need to be mixed, before baking, in order to allow the clay to harden to the proper consistency, so knead away!

8. Make the clay at least twice the length of the original, at least 1/4" in diameter and 7" in length by rolling along the work surface. Apply even pressure.

9. If the clay wall becomes too thin to work with, (you must maintain at least 1/8" in thickness for beads) use your thumbs and forefingers to draw the clay back towards the center of the skewer and simply re-roll.

10. Allow your new tube of beads to rest before cutting, just as you would with a new cane. I usually wait at least one hour. Note: After you have used the skewer a few times, it will be coated with some of the polymer clay and the beads will no longer easily pull away from the skewer surface. Once this happens, you should discard the skewer and start anew.

This photo album will exhibit more samplings of my polymer work. Start the slideshow first by double clicking on one of the images. That will take you to the slideshow. Now start the slideshow by pressing the center button. You can again view the designs all at once by pressing the photo index on the button on the bottom left. You can also view the items fullscreen, save, print or email to a friend by pressing the appropriate buttons. I hope you enjoy the album!

11. Cutting your beads: For this first example we will use a ruler as the mark to cut the beads. Lay down your skewer next to a ruler edge and place a small slice (using your blade cutter) across the top of the skewered snake at each 1" mark. Now place the skewer in one hand, and using your blade cutter, complete the cut. It is helpful to start at one end.
12. Rotate the skewer and the clay to get an even cut all the way around. This takes some practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first cuts are uneven. Using your blade, simply even up the ends. The beads may not all be a consistent size at this stage, but hey, you made a very fine bead, didn’t you?

13. Once the first bead is cut, remove it from the skewer and tap each end onto the flat side of the blade cutter. This will help to even out your cut and give the ends a flat, consistent and professional appearance. Check for bad cuts. Sometimes a small sliver of clay will remain that needs attention. Simply massage it back into the clay body or cut it away. (If at first you don’t succeed, remove your clay from the skewer and start again.) Now we’re having fun!

14. You also can create a slight “well” in the ends of the bead by using a sculpting tool. Remove a bead from the skewer. Simply take your sculpting tool and place one end within the hole of the bead. Apply ever so slight pressure on the end and the well will form naturally as the wooden handle of the tool meets the clay.

15. Once all of the beads are cut to perfection, you are ready to bake following manufacturer’s directions. I use Sculpey Premo clay exclusively and prefer to bake my beads in a toaster oven at 275 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on their size. You can place your beads directly onto the toaster oven pan or suspend them on a bicycle spoke. Either method works well. Sometimes a shiny edge will appear where the clay touched the pan. Use your emery board to remove the shine.)

16. It is important to allow your beads to cool in the oven.

17. If you wish to add a glaze finish or just want to clean up the beads, I recommend buying some of those extra large emery boards from your local discount store. These are simple and easy to use. I often sit with a pot of beads in my lap while watching TV and sand them to a fine finish using a single emery board.

18. Most polymer beads remain in their natural soft-shine state. However, some designers prefer to add more shine.

Apply your finishing glaze as directed by the manufacturer. I use Sculpey Satin Glaze or Sculpey Gloss Glaze for my beads. Many polymer artists set aside time to “condition” clay by rolling it over and over through their pasta machines then placing it in plastic bags for use when their creative juices are flowing.

Tip: NEVER use your kitchen utensils, oven or supplies when working with polymer clay. ALWAYS have a separate set of tools just for clay work. End Call out

SLAB Method Skewer Base
The slab method for making skewer beads takes a little more time but provides better control of the diameter of the beads.

1. Begin with a lump of clay that is approximately 1/2 ounce of weight.

2. Set your pasta machine on the thickest setting.

3. Pre-condition the clay by rolling through the pasta machine at least 15 times. Be sure to check manufacturer’s directions regarding conditioning. Each clay body MUST be conditioned.

4. Continue to fold the clay in half, inserting the folded edge first through the machine until you have created a 2" x 4" slab.

5. Lay the wooden skewer lengthwise over one edge of the clay. Roll the clay onto the skewer creating your snake. Gently tap seam in place.

6. Roll the clay out on your work sheet as stated in Step 7 (Lump Method Skewer Beads). Continue to follow above directions. Adding Embellishments Roll the skewered clay through glitter and herbs to add inclusions or make interesting color combination canes — slice off the thinnest cane and apply to the skewer clay.

Once you are happy with your inclusions, simply roll gently along your work surface. Use of inclusions is fun. BE SAFE too! Some inclusions may be flammable. Take care to use only inclusions that will not start a fire when you bake your beads in your toaster oven.

ALWAYS — safety first. *See The Clay Store, my Resource Guide under Susan and Friends.