TUTORIAL:

New clayers always want to know how to make straight holes in polymer clay beads. Some clay artists prefer to bake their beads first and use a drill press to make the holes. But not everyone has the money or space for a drill press so it's a good idea to TRAIN YOUR HANDS to make nice straight holes in your beads.


In this lesson you will learn techniques and tricks for making straight holes in unbaked polymer clay beads. You will practice with round, oval, and paddle beads.


You will also learn how to make extra-large holes to accommodate larger gauges of wire, up to 14 gauge so you can make your own big-hole beads.


These techniques apply to most shapes of beads of any size. Techniques for making the beads themselves are NOT included in this lesson.

• Unbaked polymer clay beads or scrap clay beads

• Tile work surface
• needle tool or pins from optional bead rack
• optional latex gloves
• self-made pins from 14g or 16g copper wire