group gift.

Erin G.

March 5

A crafty coworker retired so for a group gift we teamed up to create a handmade beaded statement necklace where each of us decorated a bead!

Here's the materials list:

Oven-bake clay (for this project light colors work best)
Parchment paper (I like to line my baking sheets with parchment when working with clay)
Baking pan (preferably one designated for art)
Oven
Posca markers (acrylic paint would also work but I like marker for this project for shorter drying time and for drawing fine details; choose from different sized tips and colors)
Paper plates (for varnish)
Paintbrushes (for varnishing)
Varnish (you can use matte or high-gloss)
Skewers (to poke the bead hole and to hold the beads while decorating and drying)

Before the party, I shaped and baked the beads, using a skewer to poke a ~3mm hole in the beads before baking. I lined a baking sheet with parchment paper and baked at 275 F for 15 minutes for every 1/4" of clay thickness. (Bake time may vary with clay brands; confirm with the instructions on your clay's packaging for exact temperature and time.) I also made an instruction guide in Canva complete with a link to bead decorating inspiration. Here's the set up!

The how to:

Pick a bead and place on a skewer for the duration of the project.
Decorate with paint markers and allow to dry completely before adding varnish (in our experience, this takes at least 25 minutes). You can layer colors on top of each other with less dry time between paint layers.
Coat dry beads with varnish. A thin layer works. Avoid getting varnish in the hole of the bead - the skewer might stick! Allow to dry completely.

My coworker loved this idea, but of course she requested that we just give her the beads so she could create her own necklace with some items from her bead collection. I have yet to see the final piece (I hope she shares a photo with us!), but look how fun these beads look all together on a string.

I'm ready for our next work craft party! I hear there's another retirement celebration to be had soon....

Find supplies to create your own beaded jewelry in my Amazon storefront. This is an affiliate link, as are other links throughout this journal entry. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made via linked items at no additional cost to you.