Dread beads (ideas and suggestions!)

Hello!

I am going to start my own small business selling homemade stuffs soon, and I am hoping to make some dread beads to sell. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for suggestions or good materials?

updated by @gingerdreads: 02/14/15 03:28:58AM

set up your shop here https://shops.dreadlockssite.com/

wood clay bone antler plastic carved stone blown gla

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My new book Ban The Taboo Vol 1

I've made a few beads outta that Fimo clay. I found it on sale for super cheap and just played around with it. It's not very messy, its fun, bakes in 30 minutes, available in all kinds of colors, & easy to create funky, one of a kind beads. Hope this helps!

I use the polymer clay "sculpty" or something like that it's easy and depending on how many or how thick it cooks in like 15-20 mins! stone, antler, bone, wood, shell, are good, wire with beads, wire without beads you can make coils outta the wire. There are many ways to do beads!

A personal tip-- I like to coat the clay beads I've made with a clear top coat. Sculpty makes some and it kinda gives your work that "finished" professional look. Simply paint it on after you bake it and you're good to go!

Working with antler would be cool, but I'm still learning to work with wood!

soaring eagle said:

set up your shop here https://shops.dreadlockssite.com/

wood clay bone antler plastic carved stone blown gla

Thanks! Ive never used fimo, but I have used sculpey to make beads for a necklace before

Raych'll said:

I've made a few beads outta that Fimo clay. I found it on sale for super cheap and just played around with it. It's not very messy, its fun, bakes in 30 minutes, available in all kinds of colors, & easy to create funky, one of a kind beads. Hope this helps!

Very cool, thanks for the advice! I've made ones like that for a friend a couple years ago when she did her dreads

mylene lrx said:

i've maid dreads with plastic clay, it just a little bit more expensive that fimo, but i think it is stronger, and best colors quality. easy to play with and to bake too, maybe even easier that fimo.

Yeah! I like working with lots of different materials, I'm excited to start working with wire next!

Shanxon Lemasters said:

I use the polymer clay "sculpty" or something like that it's easy and depending on how many or how thick it cooks in like 15-20 mins! stone, antler, bone, wood, shell, are good, wire with beads, wire without beads you can make coils outta the wire. There are many ways to do beads!

Thanks! I've been researching natural varnishes and finishes. I have used the scupley glaze before, and you're right, it really does give it a certain finished quality!

Nikki said:

A personal tip-- I like to coat the clay beads I've made with a clear top coat. Sculpty makes some and it kinda gives your work that "finished" professional look. Simply paint it on after you bake it and you're good to go!