I decided to try making hollow beads using marbles as cores. The technique goes like this: You cover a marble ( mine were 25mm and 32 mm) with clay, poke a little hole so air can escape and bake for 20- 30 minutes. You slice the clay open and slip out the marble. I learned a neat tip from Olivia Surratt. Don’t cut all the way around the marble; think clamshell. If you leave a bit of clay attached you will be able to line up the halves perfectly. Then I glue the bead back together with cyanoacrylic glue. You can also use Genesis Medium and pop it back in the oven for a bit to set it.
Marbles covered with white clay before baking
Finished bead. I got the texture from rolling the bead in salt before baking.
Beads covered with zig zag canes before going in the oven. After they come out. I sand and buff.
Some of the finished beads strung with bicones and spacers
You must admit she looks stunning with or without the beads!
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Ornamento 