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Create your own beads for:
• Bracelets • Necklaces • Rings
• Ankle Bracelets • And more!
Roll consistent, uniform beads in three popular shapes:
The Tri-Bead Roller is suitable for use with many kinds of clay, including air-dry, polymer, and precious metal clay. |
Bead Roller Parts and Assembly
(Please refer to numbered illustration)
Your new bead roller set has four parts. 1. Roller Base. The roller base has three bead rolling channels—one for round shapes, one for oval shapes, and the other for bicone shapes. The base also has a narrow channel with two holes down inside of it to hold the alignment bar. 2. Roller Top. The roller top looks very much like the base, but the narrow alignment channel has no holes inside of it. 3. Alignment Bar. The alignment bar has two small tabs that snap into the two holes in the channel of the base. 4. Measuring Ring. This ring will be used as a clay-measuring device.
Before using your bead roller, the alignment bar must be inserted into the channel of the base by snapping the tabs into the holes in the channel of the base.
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1. Roller Base
2. Roller Top
3. Alignment Bar
4. Measuring Ring
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Measuring Clay
One method of measuring clay utilizes the measuring ring included with this set. Set it on a flat work surface with the rim UP. Condition a piece of clay with your hands by rolling and folding until soft and pliable. Pack the hole in the center of the measuring ring and press until it is filled and flush with the rim. Lift the clay filled ring, then use a pencil (eraser end) to press the clay out. This is the amount of clay that will roll each of the three bead shapes.
Rolling the Bead
Hand roll the softened clay into a ball and place into the center of the desired channel of the base. Set the roller top over the base so the alignment channel in the top fits over the alignment bar in the base. Holding the top between your thumb and forefinger, slide it back and forth along the alignment bar with slight downward pressure. Just a couple of motions will shape your bead! NOTE: When working with more than one color, repeatedly rolling the bead in one direction will swirl a pattern of color around the oval and bicone beads.
TIP: The AMACO Bead Making Tools Set contains two mandrels for piercing beads and a dimple tool for smoothing and cleaning the ends of beads. Carefully slide beads back onto the mandrel, suspend across sides of flat, shallow pan, and bake.
Piercing the Bead
The bead can be pierced prior to curing—the smaller the hole, the less likely handling will cause distortion of the shape. It can be helpful to allow the beads to sit undisturbed for an hour or two prior to piercing. The hole can be enlarged after curing with a pearl or bead reamer, or small drill bits—gradually increasing the size of the bits in small increments.
Curing the Bead
Know and follow the temperature recommendations for the type of clay you are using. An oven thermometer is recommended to avoid over baking—too high of temperature will ruin your beads! A fan folded portion of a file folder (or piece of card stock) makes a suitable “rack” for holding beads during curing. Be sure to leave space between each bead or they will bond to each other during the curing process. Always double check oven temperature when curing clay!
Begin by rolling one bead at a time until you become familiar with this set. Once you are experienced at measuring clay and rolling a bead, you may roll each of all three shapes at the same time, and perhaps a couple of each shape. When rolling multiple beads in the same channel, be sure to leave space between amounts of clay and space at each end! Accurate measuring of clay is essential to successful beads.
Click here for an Easy Clay Measurement Guide for the Tri-Bead Roller and 4 of the Pro Bead Rollers.
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