Polymer Clay Flower Petal Beads Q&A

www.beadsandbea... Video #322: Quick and easy tips to make professional looking flower petal beads [Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor]. If you enjoyed this video please click the Thumbs Up Like button. Subscribe too... for lots more entertaining and educational videos every week!

[@Jere4319]

Hi Cindy, I saw some of this work at a craft show and it was beautiful. Having worked with fresh flowers for a lot of years and from curiosity and experience I'd like to share with you this in case you may want to try it. We know how red roses dry, ugly black so to speak..but they make those beautiful beads of yours. If you want a nice red like you often see in the tiny dried flowers...try orange roses...they dry a beautiful red...just wanted to share...hope you don't mind.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Hi Jere Condon of course I don't mind a helpful comment like that! Thank you for sharing that Orange roses dry to a nice Red color. I bet most people wouldn't have known that!

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Yes Darlene, a lot of people find that it helps with clarity in translucent clay. I do it sometimes but am not religious about it. Should do a PcT Test Lab Video on it to see if it really does make a difference or if it is all in our heads! :)

[@BEEtheJOY]

Do you need to let the formed beads dry before baking? Thanks

[@barbarabeckmannart4058]

What are tight thoughts about cremation ashes be added to the clay instead of flower petals. I imagine once baked they clay can be sealed to make sure the ashes are sealed in the clay. Any suggestions?

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Anything can be added to polymer clay, including ashes. You just need to experiment a little with the ratio of how much of anything you add in compared to the amount of clay used. Too much of the inclusion could cause the clay to fall apart. As far as sealing, that should be experimented with as well. Depending on your process and how you are using the end product, you may or may not need to seal it either. I would do some experiments with small amounts of clay (I'd probably start with translucent) and tiny amounts of ashes until you get the result you want.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Hi duckimint - there is a link in the description box under the video that will take you to more info at my blog.

[@angelapulliam3848]

How can you make the beads more shiny?

[@pennymask6788]

can you use fresh flowers chopped up? Do they have to be dried...so that the color stays the same?

[@cathyt9738]

Where can I find the Volume 3:2 tutorial to make the inclusion beads? I did a search for it and can't find it. Thank you.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

The link in the description will take you to more information. Thanks!

[@aikalligher]

How long would I bake something one inch thick, I am making a miniature wedding cake with tiers and all do u have any suggestions on the baking. Thank you

[@cindylietz7299]

The 1 hour will usually do it aikalliger, but if you are worried, you can bake it for longer if you like. For lots of baking advice, make sure to check out our blog. The link is in the description above. Just type 'baking' in the search box at the top of the page and you'll find tons of posts, tips and tutorials.

[@mapleroo3]

Cindy, I really like the idea of making memorial beads using the dried flowers from various events. I'm going to try some of the ground / crumbled petal inclusions. I am also planning to make some focal beads using larger pieces of the dried petals sandwiched in layers of Translucent. I will let you know how they go! I am creating a Wish List for my family - I'm tired of getting stuff for birthdays and Christmas that I can't use or don't want. In that list are some (okay, a LOT!) of your Back Issue tutorial volumes. If I create an account and give them the details, can they purchase various tutorials so that I can access them? Will this work? Thanks for all the fun ideas and "this works, this doesn't" videos.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Glad to hear you like this flower bead idea... they can be used for a range of events from memorials to weddings and graduations too. In regards to purchasing a bunch of tutorials all at once, just let me know in advance and I'll you get that set up. Just use our Contact link at the www.polymerclaytutor.com web site... or have your family contact me if you want it to be a surprise gift :-)

[@Vernellaful]

Hey I'm from Germany and wanna turn dried red roses into beads. Which clay colour do I use best? Yours looks grey is it?

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Hi Verena Raguse Sorry I missed this comment. The color I am using that looks grey is actually translucent and pearl mixed. You can also add a tiny bit of a solid color to enhance the flowers. If you want to do the tutorial here is the link to more information: www.beadvideos.com/back-issues-02/vol-034/

[@jackiehunter7293]

white roses turn brown when dry is there away of preventing this or turning them back white?

[@barbarabeckmannart4058]

I’ve tried everything! white, light pink, most light colored petals turn an ugly brown when baked in any of the polymer clays. I’ve tried so many times and I do not think there is anyway around it. I’d love to know if there is.

[@alishagriffin7059]

I thought overtaking will cause the beads to break easier, be more brittle? Cooking for 1 hour doesnt cause this? I am planning to make flower beads for rosaries from my grandmothers funeral flowers and I dont want to wreck the beads, I only have so many flowers to work with!

[@alishagriffin7059]

*This should say OVER-BAKING, not overtaking.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

I am not sure where you heard that over baking makes clay brittle but for polymer clay this is definitely not the case. Baking longer just ensures that all the polymer particles have had the opportunity to fuse properly together and make it stronger, not weaker. Pieces that break are either baked at too low a temp, baked for too short a time or both. I have a ton of baking videos that will get you on the right track, that you might want to check out. Also in regards to making flower beads with your Grandmother's flowers, I have a paid tutorial that will teach you everything you need to know to having success and not wasting the flowers that you have. Here is a link to more information: www.beadvideos.com/back-issues-02/vol-034/

[@alishagriffin7059]

@@PolymerClayTutor thank you so much for your help! I appreciate it!

[@duckimint]

can you link to the original please

[@justsew3]

I watched a tutorial that the artist doused the hot baked clay in ice water. Any comments?

[@sanazjoo]

i like you