DIY Earth Day Beads

Materials Needed for DIY Earth Day Beads

• Sculpey III Glitter Clay in Turquoise, Blue and Violet
• Clay Essentials Toolkit
• Sculpey Clay Work Mat
• Jewelry Making Supplies
• Oven for Baking Clay
• Sculpey Glaze
• Paintbrush

Start by opening all three colors of polymer clay and kneading them until they are pliable and soft. I wanted to see how they worked because it was my first time using the glitter clay so I rolled out three balls and used a cutter, just to play.

Once the three colors are kneaded, squish them together. LOOK AT ALL OF THAT SPARKLE!

Roll the colors into a ball then smash it on the work mat and roll out. Do this a couple of times until you have the marble look that you like. Cut out whatever pieces you want for earrings using a cutter. Poke holes in the tops BEFORE baking because the polymer clay will harden in the oven.

Then roll the remaining clay into a small ball, the size of bead desired. Use a clay tool to poke a hole through the middle. This hole needs to be large enough to fit a chain through. Add a little hand formed heart. Be sure to mash it good onto the bead so it well be secure.

Polymer Clay PRO TIP 1 — Put the hole towards the top if you want your bead to hang a specific way. If it is in the center it will roll.

Polymer Clay PRO TIP 2 – To remove fingerprints, use a tiny rolling pin or something super smooth and gentlyrun it across the clay.

Bake at 275 °F (130 °C) for 15 minutes per 1/4 in (6 mm) thickness. DO NOT MICROWAVE. Baking should be completed by an adult. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME. Visit Sculpey for TONS of baking tips.

When the clay is cool, put a coat of Sculpey Glaze on your pieces for a shiny surface.

Turn your clay pieces into jewelry with items from a jewelry making kit. My favorite thing about the bead is it requires very little (as in none) jewelry making skills.

Another fun option for the bead it to use hemp cord and your friendship bracelet making skills to whip up a polymer clay keyring.

Earth Day and Sculpey Clay

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 each year but I am believer that it should be celebrated every single day. We only have one Mother Earth and it is our responsibility to take care of her. Environmental stewardship is important to the Sculpey brand. This is their “Safety and environmental stewardship are values that we take very seriously at Polyform. We are proactive in keeping up to date on the latest regulations, and strive to provide the highest quality products with safety as our number one priority.”

Hop over to this fun post to get all of the deets so you can make a wind chime using Sculpey clays and old keys.

XO,

Laura

PS:

Putting this here again for the people in the back!

I am going to say this again. Crafting is just a great idea. It is proven that crafting can be really good for mental and emotional health. Studies show that making and crafting can lower anxiety. Another benefit to crafting is that it creates connection. When we make things and give them to others, we spread kindness and love. Here are my top ten reasons to craft with kids, and I mean kids of all ages.

1. Mental Health Benefits – Crafting puts me in a good mood.
2. Self Expression – Crafting allows me to express myself.
3. Education and Growth – I learn new skills by making things.
4. Connection – Crafting connects me others through workshops, classes and gifting.
5. Decor – Through making and crafting, I can totally customize every aspect of my decor.
6. Gift Giving – Gifts is totally my love language. I love to make handmade gifts.
7. Offline Time – Crafting keeps me off of my phone and social media. We all know this can be beneficial.
8. Income – Because I craft and sell items that I make, I have an additional income source.
9. Fun – I like to have fun and to me, making things is fun.
10. Socializing – Attending events where crafting is a part gets me out and around others with like minds.