DIY Polymer Clay Bead Necklace

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Once upon a time (8 or so months ago) I had this great idea that I was going to open up an Etsy shop...then I got pregnant and realized I had no time for something extra. I came to the conclusion I enjoy sharing and showing you how to make your own jewelry so much more than I would selling it. So here is to another fun and super easy polymer clay diy!

This is s great project to start with if you are a beginner or polymer clay seems intimidating to you. You can not mess this one up.

What you will need:
  • Polymer clay--you can use as many colors as you want. The color combinations are endless.
  • Waxed cotton cord
  • Toothpick
Begin by conditioning your clay in between your hands until it is soft and pliable. Roll out your clay beads by taking a small piece of clay and then making a little ball with the palm of your hand. You can make them as large or small as you like.

Use the toothpick to poke a hole in the center of each bead. If the clay you are using is really soft, you can wear latex gloves to help prevent fingerprints. Place your beads on a baking tray and bake according to clay directions. I baked mine at 270 degrees for 25 minutes.

String your beads onto the cotton cord. This is where you can get creative. You can place all your beads on one stand or make a bunch of necklaces and layer them. Totally up to you!

Attach some kind of closure on the back (I used a magnetic closure) and you are ready to go.

If you want to make geometric looking polymer clay beads you can read this post.

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44 comments:

Chelsea said...

LOVE this so much and, you know what? I think I might just try it! I've been getting into jewelry design and this seems fun, easy, and cute! Love the colors :) Thanks for sharing!!

Heather J said...

Love this so much! Great colors. I'm totally doing more, you've convinced me. :)

I just wish I'd known about the latex gloves = no finger prints. When I made my necklace, I was struggling trying to not get finger prints on the clay.

Unknown said...

So cute. And perfect for spring! Might have to get the polymer clay out this weekend (unless baby comes!!).

Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

This is so neat! And I love those colors, this would be so cute for spring! Definitely going to need to try these!

Lindsay said...

HOW CUTE and spring like! LOVE!

Allison said...

I love the colors! Great project.

Alexa said...

Lindsay this is one of my favorite DIYs that you've done! I've never tried used polymer clay, but honestly this might be the project that I start with. Love the colors that you chose! :)

Amy @ Amy Day to Day said...

You are so good at these polymer clay projects. This necklace is gorgeous!

simplyvonne said...

omgosh i really want to try this now! great diy girl!

Lindsay said...

Aw, I LOVE this! You introduced me to polymer clay, and I have had so much fun creating with it! I have got to add this to my to-do list, thanks friend!

Sarah said...

Ok, I think this is one of my faves. I LOVE the colors. Perfect for Spring =)

- Sarah
http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com

NikG said...

I love your polymer clay posts! You rock! I plan to try some of your DIYs soon!

Hilliary Meisner said...

So fun! This would be a great necklace to throw on with a spring outfit! I love it! My little sister is huge into arts and crafts. I am thinking this would be fun for us to do together while she is home!

Unknown said...

How cute and quirky! And sooo simple! It fits great with plain outfits _:)

Rolled Up Pretty said...

K I have been dying to try using this clay! LOVE these necklaces, SO SO CUTE! :)

momto8 said...

so cute!! and so creative!

Anna @ IHOD said...

Once again I am astounded. LOVE how anthro it looks:)

Stephanie @ henry happened said...

girl, i bet your hands were sore from rolling all of those circles (mine ached the day after making my bracelets!). But I love the springy colors!!

marie said...

wow! I know I would mess this up but yours looks so, so darling, you've got some serious crafting talent, good for you.

What Sadie Did said...

Gorgeous pastels, now i'm converted to polymer clay i'll try this out after my next trip to the shop! :)

Sadie xx

Jennifer @ Delightfully Noted said...

I think this is by far my favorite clay project of yours! The necklaces are a great color combo and look like they just walked out of a catalog.

Unknown said...

Ha! I was thinking to myself that this is definitely my favorite DIY yet and then scrolled down to see that I am not alone in that :) I absolutely love this necklace and will one day make time to make it! :) great photos, too! Hmm...if no etsy shop, perhaps a book??!! XO brynn

The Olive Tree Blog said...

sweeeeeetttt! love it!

Anonymous said...

holy crap! this is so awesome!
how durable are they?

Anna Elder said...

OMG I LOVEEEE these!!! Please make me one. I'll pay you!

Rebecca said...

Saw this on craftgawker, and before I saw your name, thought to myself "this has to be Lindsay!" You are the polymer clay QUEEN (I probably told you that before...but it's true!). LOVE your ideas.

Four Marrs and One Venus said...

Ok- So excited to have run into your blog! Loving it- loving every little thing about it!! This necklace is adorable and so stylish yet very simple! Yep, I like! Off to explore your blog some more! Thanks for stopping by my way! I am a new follower!!

Unknown said...

I agree with Rebecca! You are the polymer clay queen!!

Welcome said...

this is so springing I can totally see this on you! very creative sis!

Unknown said...

Love love love! Thanks for sharing!

Janel F. Acton said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

this is so fun! love your colors. I've been playing around with polymer clay for a few months & am really enjoying it.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Johnnie said...

I love this! So simply and beautiful. I featured you today at Decor 2 Adore{able}. xoxo,
Johnnie

Printable Decor
Saved By Love Creations
Decor 2 Adore{able}

laura tj said...

can i ask you a dumb question about baking this in the oven.. did you use separate oven to bake these or did you use your normal oven to bake food? i just want to know if it's ok for you use the same oven that you normally use for food - will your food get "contaminated" by the clay or something? thank you :)

Cassie said...

I know this post was from a while ago, but I found it on Pinterest and decided to give it a try! This is what I came up with:

http://asummeruniform.blogspot.ca/2012/07/sunday-craft-day-pt2.html

I'm so excited to try the rest of your tutorials, and I fully credited you for this one!

@honeypeak23 said...

I love it!!! could you please tell me if you leave the toothpick while you are baking the clay beads? or are they baked all just with the hole and without the toothpick? thanks! you're a star!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the tutorial, it was very helpfull!

Hannah said...

Hi I was wondering if you would please be able to tell me where you by you polymer clay from? Thankyou :)

Unknown said...

Hello this is super duper idea. love your pattern, and your creativity.
thank you for your tutorial. good idea. i am going to do this soon..
you can visit my blog too..

Unknown said...

Hello Lindsay, your creativity is super.
thank you for your tutorial. it is wonderful idea.
i am going to do soon....i am so excited .. its too darling

Anonymous said...

wow! I know I would mess this up but yours looks so, so darling, you've got some serious crafting talent, good for you. computershare forms

Kelly said...

Thanks for great tutorial, and very much to share us valuable information how to create jewelry.

nancy john said...


I really like beading! And I really like the concept of creating interchangeable Jewelry items, especially necklaces and bracelets. What a cool idea!

Beautiful Bracelets

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