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Skill Builders

Polymer Clay Bead Making

Polymer Clay Bead Making

About This Course

This course is provided in a self-guided course format. You can see the menu on the right or at the bottom of the page on mobile. You can skip through to read the various sections out of order, but I recommend starting with the Basic Bead Making section first and following along to learn the fundamentals. Learning the basics will give you the know-how to make neat, precise, and beautiful beads. Enjoy!

If you prefer to print this course and read from paper, you can download and print the course by pressing this button. Be aware that some of this course includes videos, which will require an internet connection. (The PDF version does include links to those videos.) The PDF version also does not have a resources section. You’ll need to refer to the online version to access the resources, links to suppliers, and discount coupons accompanying this course.

Download the PDF Version

Why a Bead Making Course?

Beads have been part of human culture for tens of thousands of years (or longer). They’re simple in concept, beautiful by nature, and useful for functional and decorative purposes. Many people in polymer clay began their journey searching for ways to make unique beads for their handmade jewelry creations. So polymer clay bead making has a rich history. There are tons of videos and books detailing how to make a variety of beads in innumerable styles.

But I noticed a gap in the available educational materials for helping people make polymer clay beads well. Much of the instruction merely restates the same classic bead styles and repeats outdated methods that work well for chunky macrame styles that were popular decades ago. Makers now want to make precise, refined, and finely crafted jewelry as polymer clay takes its rightful place as a fine craft and even an art medium.

I decided to undertake a 100 days project, making 100 days of beads. The many, many questions told me that a new bead making course was needed. So here it is. Here is Polymer Clay Bead Making.

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You will LOVE getting this email, which is packed full of polymer clay goodness. About once or twice a month.

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Inventory Sheets

Download Your Inventory Sheets

Thank you for purchasing the Downloadable Inventory Sheets checklists. Click the button below to download the most recent version of these sheets. You can save them to your computer and then sprint them on your home printer.
 
The sheets will be updated as often as possible. You are always welcome to download a new version of the sheets at any time in the future. The most current version was uploaded July 22, 2022.
Download the Sheets

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sanding and buffing polymer clay course cover

Sanding and Buffing Polymer Clay

Sanding and Buffing Polymer Clay

Welcome to the “front page” of the Sanding and Buffing course. I’m glad you’re here.

 I know that you want to learn how to sand and finish your polymer clay more effectively and with less frustration. Great! I will show you how to create a perfect finish on your polymer clay without wearing yourself out or having results that make you sad. You’ll learn how to sand better not harder.

This course is delivered here on my website in a standard step-by-step course format. But don’t worry, there are no tests or grades! Note: This course can also be downloaded in the form of a formatted,  127-page PDF. You can find the button for the PDF version in the Sanding Resources section. Be aware, though, that the PDF won’t be updated as often. The online course version will always have the most current information and resources.

The Sanding Resources section also includes sources and links for the materials mentioned in this course. In addition, I’ve listed trusted polymer-centric suppliers around the world, so you can find good suppliers near you.

There is also a User Gallery where you can upload your own photos of the sanded and/or buffed projects that you’re proud of. Let us see what you’ve made! If you have any questions, there is a private Questions and Discussions section where you can get help from me or other owners of this tutorial.

Course Navigation

Below is a directory with each of the sections and topics in this course listed. You’ll notice there are three main sections, each with a different type of information. You can navigate from here, or you can use the navigation panel at the right (or below if you’re on mobile). At the end of each topic and section will also be buttons to help you get around. Thanks for joining me here. Click on “Introduction to Sanding and Buffing” to get started.

Get on the list

You will LOVE getting this email, which is packed full of polymer clay goodness. About once or twice a month.

Sanding and Buffing Polymer Clay Read More »

powders guide in polymer clay course cover

Powders and Pigments Course

Welcome! This is the “front page” of the Powders: Using mica, pigments, metal powder, and dyes with polymer clay course. I’m glad you’re here.

The course itself is a downloadable PDF, but that’s only part of the fun. There are more features included in your purchase and you can access them all in the pages below.

Scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page. That’s where you can download your PDF course, get a quick look at the materials discussed in the course, and get answers to your questions. Once you’ve visited each page, its box will display a green checkmark.

Once you’re into the course pages, you can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Course Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.

I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Course Content below, “Download Your Course”. Enjoy!

Get on the list

You will LOVE getting this email, which is packed full of polymer clay goodness. About once or twice a month.

Powders and Pigments Course Read More »

polymer clay essentials tutorial cover

Polymer Clay Essentials

polymer clay essentials tutorial cover

Welcome! This is the “front page” of the Polymer Clay Essentials Class. I’m glad you’re here.

The eBook itself is a downloadable PDF, but that’s only part of the fun. There are more features included in your purchase and you can access them all in the pages below.

Scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page. That’s where you can download your PDF eBook, get a list of resources, and get answers to your questions. Once you’ve visited each page, its box will display a green checkmark.

You can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Class Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.

I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Class Content below, “Download Your eBook”. Enjoy!

Polymer Clay Essentials Read More »

baking polymer clay tutorial cover

Baking Polymer Clay

In all crafting activities, the designing or creating side is only part of the process. You also have to deal with the technical side. In the case of polymer clay, the technical considerations of curing or baking the piece bring complexity to the material’s use and sometimes there are challenges to overcome. Creating successfully with polymer clay means that you will have to bake or cure the item. Here’s how to do that and how to avoid the all-too-common pitfalls of breakage and burning.

This course can also be downloaded in a single printable PDF.

Download Printable Course

Welcome!

This is the “front page” of the Baking Polymer Clay course. I’m glad you’re here.

To get started, scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page. Once you’ve visited each page, its box will display a green checkmark.

You can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Course Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.

I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Course Content below, “What is Curing”. Enjoy!

Get on the list

You will LOVE getting this email, which is packed full of polymer clay goodness. About once or twice a month.

Baking Polymer Clay Read More »

all about silkscreens polymer clay tutorial cover

All About Silkscreens with Polymer Clay

all about silkscreens polymer clay tutorial cover

Welcome! This is the “front page” of the All About Silkscreens eBook. I’m glad you’re here.

The eBook itself is a downloadable PDF, but that’s only part of the fun. There are more features included in your purchase and you can access them all in the pages below.

Scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page. That’s where you can download your PDF eBook, see examples of these techniques, upload a photo of your own, and get answers to your questions. Once you’ve visited each page, its box will display a green checkmark.

You can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Class Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.

I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Class Content below, “Download Your eBook”. Enjoy!

All About Silkscreens with Polymer Clay Read More »

getting up to speed with polymer clay tutorial cover

Getting Up to Speed in Polymer Clay

getting up to speed with polymer clay tutorial cover

Welcome! This is the “front page” of the Getting Up to Speed Tutorial. I’m glad you’re here.

Scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list of sections in this course. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page to view that topic. Once you’ve visited each page and marked it complete, its box will display a green checkmark.

Once you’re into the class pages, you can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Class Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.

I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Class Content below, “Which Brand of Clay”. Enjoy!

If you need a printable PDF Download of this tutorial, you can get it here. It does not contain updated resources, however. Always check the online resources section of this tutorial for the most updated information.

Getting Up to Speed in Polymer Clay Read More »

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