How to Make and Color Clay Beads

Clay beads are a great kids craft. You can make necklaces, bracelets, or hanging ornaments. Then, you can color them with markers. Use your imagination!

1. 

    Purchase or find the items on the Things You'll Need list.
   Purchase or find the items on the Things You'll Need list.

    

2. 

    Cover a flat surface (such as a table) with newspaper, to protect it.
   Cover a flat surface (such as a table) with newspaper, to protect it.
3. 

    Take the plastic covering off of the clay and lay it out on the table with the plastic wrap underneath.
   Take the plastic covering off of the clay and lay it out on the table with the plastic wrap underneath.
4. 

    Use a knife to cut the clay into cubes.
   Use a knife to cut the clay into cubes. For a necklace, they should probably be bigger (about 1/2 in by 1/2 in). If you plan to make a bracelet, they should be smaller.
5. 

    Using your hands or the table surface, roll the cubes into balls one by one.
   Using your hands or the table surface, roll the cubes into balls one by one. Try to make them as round as possible.
6. 

    Pick them up carefully and poke a hole through the middle with a straw.
   Pick them up carefully and poke a hole through the middle with a straw. If the straw gets full of clay, get another one.
7. 

    Leave the beads out on a paper towel until they dry.
   Leave the beads out on a paper towel until they dry. You may have to wait a few days, or it could be a few weeks.
8. 

    When the beads are dry, set them in a bin in front of you.
   When the beads are dry, set them in a bin in front of you.
9. 

    Use markers to draw designs on the beads.
   Use markers to draw designs on the beads. Be creative!
10. 

     String the beads on a piece of thin wire.
    String the beads on a piece of thin wire. Make sure you leave about an inch on either side of the wire to close it off. You can also use yarn, but wire is best to support the heavy beads.
11. 

     Close off the wire by twisting the loose ends and folding them down flat.
    Close off the wire by twisting the loose ends and folding them down flat. If you are using yarn, just use a square knot.
12. 

     Admire your finished product.
    Admire your finished product.

     

• Young children should be supervised, since they are using a messy material.
• Unless you have access to a kiln, you should use self-drying clay for this project.
• It's best to use washable markers with younger kids. Older ones could use permanent ones, like Sharpies.
• If you are looking for money, these are great to sell.

• Make sure you close the wire up carefully, or it may scratch of get caught on something (or someone).
• Once the beads are dry, be very careful not to drop them - they will break.

• Square sheet of clay (the kind that will dry without being fired) or Play-Doh, for smaller kids
• Old newspaper
• Smock and/or old clothes
• Markers
• Straw(s)
• Thin wire or strong yarn
• Knife