I have been admiring peoples textured beads for some time and wanted to make some of my own. I tried rolling beads on some rough sandpaper but there wasn't enough texture and I kept rolling the texture I made off and getting bits of sand on my beads - not good. I asked for help from some more experienced clayers - on PCC forum and I also emailed some people direct who had photos of textured beads on flickr. Many people were very generous sharing their techniques - I love the polymer clay world!
Bettina suggested rolling beads between two pieces of rough sandpaper in your palms but I wasn't happy with my sandpaper. I will try that when I have some coarser, clean sandpaper.
The suggestion I am currently using is from
Ayelet (you may remember I reviewed her
Ayelet Beads tutorial sometime back). I have prepared a mini tutorial for you (although I am sure you could all work it out without the pictures, I had the camera handy). Enjoy!
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| You will need a ball of clay, a fine grater (this is a nutmeg grater) and a piercing tool (I have a needle tool) |
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| Roll the ball around on the grater |
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| Check it for bald spots, reapply to the grater starting in this spot |
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| Pierce the ball and reroll on the grater to rough up any smooth spots you made whilst piercing (I texture before piercing so it is textured all over or you wouldn't have texture right up to the holes) |
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| I was going to get another flat grater as it would be easier to roll the beads on it but then realised the curve allows you to touch up the top and bottom of the bead whilst on the needle tool. |
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| The finished (nutmeg grater) textured bead. |
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