Twisted, Gilded Tube Beads

·     Makin’s® Clay 2.1 oz. Brown ½ package

·     Makin’s Professional® Ultimate Extruder Set, or a clay extruder with small hexagon die and the Makin’s CLAYCORE® EXTRUDER ADAPTERS (1MM adapter was used)

·     A sharp tissue blade, or scissors

·     Metal leafing flakes and/or metal leafing flakes

·     Metal leafing adhesive

·     Metal leafing sealer

·     The Beadsmith® One Step Looper 2.5 mm size

·     20 guage dead soft brass wire

·     4 mm brass jump rings

·     6 mm Brass bead caps

·     Brass ear wires

·     Skewers, or very small double pointed knitting needles

·     Small piece of 220 grit wet dry sand paper

Step 1:  Roll a 1/2 package of brown clay into a cylinder.

Step 2:  Place the cylinder into the barrel of the Makin’s Professional® Ultimate Clay Extruder®.

Step 3:  Place the 1mm. CLAYCORE® extruder adapter on the clay. Make sure it is centered. 

Step 4:  Place the smallest hexagon ULTIMATE CLAY EXTRUDER® DISC in the cap of the extruder. Then screw the cap on the barrel. 

Step 5:  Extrude the clay.  You’ll need to extrude at least 3 inches of clay for one pair of earrings.   It’s always good to extrude a little more than you’ll need.  

Step 6:  Place the extruded tube of clay on your work surface. Place your palms on opposite ends of the tube.  Roll one palm towards you, and the other palm away from you.  This puts a twist in the tube of clay.  Be careful to use very gentle pressure to avoid crushing the tube. 

Step 7:  Straighten the twisted tube of clay and allow it to dry overnight.  

Step 8:  Once the tube is thoroughly dry, cut it into 1 ½ pieces. I like to use a sharp tissue blade with a sawing motion. 

Step 9:  The tube can also be cut with scissors.

 

Step 10:  If the ends of the tubes are rough, or uneven, sand them with 220 grit sand paper. 

Step 11:  Place the tubes on skewers, or double pointed knitting needles.  Then, apply metal leafing adhesive.  Use a soft brush and make sure the entire bead is covered. Allow the adhesive to dry for 30 to 60 minutes. 

Step 12:  When the metal leafing adhesive has dried, roll the bead in metal leafing flakes. 

Step 13:  Roll the bead between your thumb and fingers to remove excess leafing.  

 

Step 14:  You may also roll the bead in a sheet of metal leaf.  

Step 15:  Remove the excess clay by rolling the bead between your thumb and fingers.  Work over a small container when removing excess sheet leafing, this will create multi-colored leafing flakes!

Step 16:  Apply two coats of metal leafing sealer.  Allow the bead to dry thoroughly between coats.  Allow the second coat to dry for several hours before working with the bead. 

Step 17:  Straighten and cut 4 inches of dead soft brass wire. 

Step 18:  Place the wire in the The Beadsmith® One Step Looper 2.5 mm size pliers.

Step 19:  When the pliers are closed, they automatically cut the wire and form a loop. 

Step 20:  Place a bead cap on the looped wire.

Step 21:  Place a tube on the wire.  

Step 22:  Place a second bead cap on the wire. 

Step 23:  Place the wire back in the The Beadsmith® One Step Looper 2.5 mm size pliers. Snug the second bead cap against the tool. 

Step 24:  Close the pliers to form the second loop.   

Step 25:  Repeat Step 17 through Step 24 to create a second link. 

Step 26:  Cut 4 pieces of brass necklace chain, 1.5 inches long. 

Step 27:  Open a 4 mm jump ring.

Step 28:  Slip the jump through the links on the chain then close the jump ring.

Step 29:  Open a second 4 mm jump ring.  Slip it through the first jump ring.  

Step 30:  Then place it through one of the loops on the link and close it. 

Step 31:  Open another 4 mm jump ring and place it through the other loop on the link, then place it through the ear wire and close it.  

Step 32:  Repeat Step 26 through Step 31 to create a second earring.  

Step 33:  Experiment with different colors of metal leafing to create many unique links!