How to Make a Bead: Part IV

How to Make a Bead in 85 Easy Steps

Part IV: Making the Bead

Step 50

Cut some scrap clay from the end of the base cane. (Any scrap clay will work, but it's helpful to use corresponding colors if possible.)

Step 51

This is a picture of the scrap piece that I will use to form the bead base.

Step 52

Condition this scrap piece and roll it into a ball.

Step 53

Because the cane is square, shaping the cane into a cube will help the cane slices to fit more seamlessly.

Step 54

Cut off the end of the cane.

Step 55

Continue slicing the cane until you have enough slices to cover the bead. (In this case, I am cutting at least 24 slices because I would like to use 4 slices on each of the six sides of the beads.)

Step 56

Begin applying the cane slices to the base.

Step 57

After applying 4 slices to one of the sides, I can see that my base bead is a bit bigger than I would like it to be.

Step 58

... So, I am going to scale down the base by trimming it. I'll use the four cane slices as a measuring guide. (Careful not to cut the cane slices sitting on the work surface... as I almost did in this picture ... :-)

Step 59

Once trimmed, the base should look like this. Trimming the base may not be a necessary step. You'll only need to do it if your slices are not covering the base to the edges.

Step 60

Cover the rest of the base with cane slices.

Step 61

Continue covering until all six sides of the base are covered.

Step 62

It should look like this.

Step 63

Begin seaming the bead by gently squeezing the cane slices together around the edges of the bead. Try to line up your design elements as much as possible.

Step 64

Work your way around the bead, pressing the slices together little by little. Don't seam anything completely at this point; just line up all the edges of the cane slices as closely as possible.

Step 65

It's helpful to use a needle tool to get the cane slices to come together edge-to-edge.

Step 66

Now the bead should look something like this.

Step 68

Once all of the seams are lined up, begin to gently round the corners by pressing them inward.

Step 69

Once the edges are rounded out, use the needle tool to roll the seams toward one another, seaming them completely. Move around the bead, from one side to another, as you go along.

Step 70

The bead should now look something like this.

Part V: Shaping, Baking, and Finishing the Bead

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