Sculpey Premo™ + Sculpey Souffle™ Heishi Bead Bracelet

Getting Started:

Please make sure your work area is covered and you are not working on an unprotected surface. We recommend working on the Sculpey® Oven-Safe Work Mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Uncured clay may damage unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Be sure to cover your crafting area appropriately.

Start with clean hands, unwrap and knead clay until soft and smooth, or condition by running clay though a Pasta Machine. We recommend using a designated machine for clay purposes only. When working with multiple colors, clean hands with soap and water or baby wipes (we have found that baby wipes work best) before switching colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces firmly together. Wash hands after use.

Baking (also called Curing):

Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). After you are done creating; for best results bake/cure clay on an oven-proof surface such metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Clay Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 30 minutes per 1/4" (6 mm) thickness according to package directions. Oven safe glass or ceramic surfaces are also acceptable for baking/curing; however please note that the baking/curing times may take longer as the glass or ceramic surfaces take longer to heat up. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME.

To create the Heishi beads I’m using scraps from the Wrap Bracelets in Bluestone. Also 1/4 bar Yellow Gold Glitter, 1/4 bar Galaxy Glitter, and 1/4 bar Igloo.

Chop the colors up all at once into coarse bits with the Clay Blade. Scramble the colors as you chop so that they get mixed up well.

Bundle the bits together into a ball.

Compress the ball with your hands to work out spaces and air pockets.

Divide the ball into four equal pieces with the Clay Blade.

Roll each ball into a fat little log. Use the wire to poke all the way through the little log stringing the log onto the wire.

Roll the clay on the wire making a tube bead 1/4” thick.

Carefully slide the raw tube bead off the wire. Carefully slice the wonky ends off. The end pieces can be recombined onto the next chunk of clay to make more beads.

Repeat Steps 7-9 to make three more tube beads except make the diameter of each one slightly different so that the tube beads are all different diameters.

Bake the tube beads following the baking instructions for Soufflé™.

Allow the tube beads to cool completely and then carefully slice them into Heishi beads with the Clay Blade. Even though the tubes are already baked, you can easily slice them with a Clay Blade.

Here is my collection of Heishi beads that I sliced from the tube beads.

String the Heishi beads in groups divided by the glass lentil beads on stretchy bead cord.

Tie the bead cord off using an overhand knot.

The charm can be attached with a 6 mm jump ring.

Use flat nose pliers to open and close the jump ring and attach the charm as shown.