Making Beads With Salt Clay

Posted by Jo Murphy May 3, 2008

This recipe requires a cooking session either with your class or as preparation. Both the Artful Crafter and Pioneer Thinking describe the recipe in the same way.

Materials

• Salt
• Water
• Corn Starch

Method

1. Mix 2 cups salt and 2/3 cup water in a pan.
2. Mix 1 cup cornstarch and ½ cup of cold water in a bowl and sit the mixture close by.
3. As you heat the mixture stir continuously (the dough might burn so practice well in advance of your class)
4. Quickly remove from heat and stir in the cornstarch and water. If mixture is too thin, return to low heat and stir constantly.
5. Wrap in a plastic sealer wrap and store in a cool, dark place in an airtight container.
6. Vegetable dye can be used to colour the dough.
7. The material should be like a like bread dough. Knead it until smooth and pliable.
8. Roll the beads in your palms. (cold cream into them before you begin)
9. Color can be added during cooking or kneading. Beads could also be painted when they are dry.

Drying

For a finishing touch gently sandpaper or smooth with an emery board.

1. Thread the beads on a greased (vaselined) wire and set this across a shoe box to dry.
2. Wait approximately 2 days for the beads to dry. If you need them more quickly preheat oven to 180 Centigrade, and after turning off the heat, place the beads still on the wire over a pan in the oven.

Finishing

The rough beads are have a rustic aura. Lightly sanding with an emery board will smooth the beads but that could turn out to be a tedious endeavour. Painting them with both acrylic or oils would also work well.

The articles Handmade Beaded Jewelry For Mother and How To Make Rosary Beads show you how to put your new found skill at the craft of bead making to good use.