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Creating flower beads using a simple flower cane technique is a great way for beginners to start working with polymer clay. With this technique, you will create a tube of clay that can be sliced into multiple disc-shaped beads with a flower in the center.
You can find most of the supplies mentioned in this beaded bracelets shopping list at craft stores, or around your home. If you’re using cutting boards, placemats and rolling pins remember to pick up wax paper to cover the surfaces. This prevents the polymer clay from sticking or leaving residues behind, so you can use these items again with food.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Purchase bricks of polymer clay in an assortment of vibrant colors so that everyone has options to choose from. Pick up a variety of pre-made, non-clay beads at the craft store as well. These can be used as spacers between your clay beads.
Step 2: Set Up
To create a workspace, you’ll need several cutting boards or plastic placemats set out on a clean, flat tabletop or counter. Make sure the work surfaces are smooth to prevent textures or patterns from showing up on the clay. You may also want to use tape to secure the wax paper over the cutting boards or placemats.
Arrange your clay, rolling pins, craft knives, sewing needles, wire and non-clay beads nearby and you’re ready to start.
Step 3: Condition the Clay
Even though most clay is fairly workable straight out of the package, it’s a good idea to condition it prior to making beads. Start by choosing three colors to use for your flower, one for the center (yellow or orange), one for the petals (white, pink, purple), and one to fill in the gaps (green, blue). To condition, you’ll want to warm up the clay by kneading, scrunching and rolling it repeatedly. Once you can bend the clay without it breaking or cracking, it’s ready to use.
Step 4: Create Your Flower Cane
The flower cane is a polymer clay bead technique that creates disc-shaped flower beads by making a tube of clay with multiple layers or logs for the center of the flower, petals and fill-in color for the gaps.
First, use a rolling pin to flatten one piece of the petal color and one piece of the fill-in color into rectangular sheets (about 1/8-inch thickness). The fill-in color will be wrapped around the outside of the finished flower cane,  so set it aside for later.
Next, use a color like yellow or orange to roll into a long, even log that will be the center of the flower. Wrap the flattened petal color tightly around the center. Use the craft knife to carefully cut off any excess.
Roll five or six long, even logs to create the flower petals (for length and  size, reference the center log.) Place the petals around the center log with space between each log and press in lightly to create the flower. Don’t smash the clay together by applying too much pressure.
Take some of the fill-in color and roll into five or six very thin, spaghetti-like logs. Lightly press the filler logs in between the petals. To finish, use the sheet of fill-in color you rolled earlier and wrap it around the outside of the flower, rolling the whole log back and forth gently to blend the layers.
Step 5: Create Your Beads
 After you’ve finished creating your flower cane, use a sharp knife to slice off disc-shaped beads. They should have a flower in the center with the fill-in color around it. Make sure your beads are at least 1/4 inch thick, very thin beads may not bake well or crack in the oven.
Using a toothpick, poke a hole through the side of the circle so that the bead can be strung on the nylon-coated wire. Carefully work the  toothpick in a circular motion to make sure the hole is large enough and won’t close up during baking.
You will end up with more beads than you need for one bracelet, so share with your friends! Everyone can have a bracelet with each other’s beads together as a sweet reminder of your special project. You can also save any extras for future jewelry making.
Step 6: Bake Your Beads
Most polymer clay includes baking instructions on the package so follow those directions when it’s time to bake. Generally, polymer clay bakes at around 275°F for 20-25 minutes, but be sure to keep your eye on the time to prevent burning. Also, make sure the baking surface is smooth, so textures won’t transfer onto the beads.
If you plan to use this pan for baking food in the future you can spread silicone-coated parchment on the surface of the pan.
Step 7: Make Your Bracelet
Once your beads have cooled, you can begin stringing them on to the nylon-coated wire. Experiment with the number of clay beads you use and fill in spaces in between with the non-clay beads until you get the look you desire. Keep the beads close together to hide the wire underneath.
Use wire-cutters to snip the wire with enough left over to fit comfortably on and off your wrist. Finally, tie a tight knot and your beautiful bracelet is ready to wear!
If you want to try something different like patterns, animals, faces or other ideas, there are many resources out there with helpful pointers. The instructions presented here can also be used as a guideline for other polymer clay projects.
Easy Cleanup:
Keep a bottle of Mr. Clean® Power Multi-Surface Wipes nearby to clean messes on your work surfaces and use Dawn® PLUS with Power Scrubbers to clean your tools.
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