Tornado and Torpedo Polymer Clay Beads Tutorial (Intro)

Video #562: This is the first (intro) clip for a 6 part (paid) tutorial series... Tornado and Torpedo Beads... More Info: Polymer Clay Tutor. Topics Covered In This Video: Vol-076-1: Video #562: Introduction: In this 6 part video tutorial series, you will learn how to make two awesome bead shapes... the twisted torpedo polymer clay bead and the wirey tornado bead. They are used together to create a gorgeous pair of dagger style earrings. Included are many tips, tricks and techniques that you can use to create these stunning beads in the colors and styles I suggest, or your own. Truly a one-of-a-kind polymer clay project. These gorgeous Tornado and Torpedo Beads can be used to create gorgeous earrings, pendants, bracelets, toggles, necklaces and other jewelry pieces. Plus these beads are great for making whatever other beaded creations you can dream up! Vol-076-2: Video #563: Twisted Oval Beads: In this video I will show you how to use a bead roller tool to create twisted oval beads using scrap polymer clay. Having the bead roller, as you will see, is not necessary for creating the final product in this tutorial. But the clear see-through design of this tool, makes it easy to observe what is happening as your pattern takes shape. This exercise will help you to understand how to create twisting patterns under your palm, when you hand roll some torpedo beads in the next Part 3 video in this series. Vol-076-3: Video #564: Rainbow Torpedo Beads: In this video I will show all the tips and tricks needed to make perfectly shaped twisted torpedo beads by hand rolling them. You can scrap clay again if you like, as shown in the previous Part 2 video. Or you can use a section of Rainbow Cane which I demonstrate how to make in the following 3 free videos: (1) Rainbow Teardrop Blend; (2) Square Polymer Clay Rainbow Cane Skinner Blend Plug; (3) Reducing Square Polymer Clay Canes. When making the torpedo beads, I’ll show you how it matters which direction the colors go when using a skinner blend cane, and the different effects you can get when you switch those directions around. * (1) #video * (2) #video * (3) #video Vol-076-4: Video #565: Planned Torpedo Beads: In this video I show you how to control the pattern that is created on your torpedo beads by adding stripes of different clays before the hand rolling begins. There are many different types of surface techniques that can be included on these beads, including solid clays, Skinner Blends (Teardrop Blends), painted clays, crackled leaf clays, inclusion clays etc., etc. By controlling the amounts of each clay that is used, you can also create beads that will have a more predictable pattern than if you were to just use a collection of scrap clays. Each set of beads you create can be one of a kind if you choose, or they can be almost identical, depending on how you put your bead together before rolling. You are going to love the variety of options here. I know you’ll be delighted by how wonderful your beads turn out! Vol-076-5: Video #566: Baking Finishing Drilling: In this video, I show you how to make your own special bead rack, perfect for this style of bead, and how to bake them to a strong and durable finish. I will also share my tips and tricks for waxing and drilling the beads, depending on what you plan to use them for. You will learn my simple technique for getting a nice clean flat surface for drilling into the end tips of the beads, should you want to make the long dagger style earrings which I show how to make in the next Part 6 video in this series. Vol-076-6: Video #567: Making Tornado Torpedo Earrings: In this last video of the series, you will learn how to add and shape the ear wires to your torpedo beads, and how to finish the ends so they are safe for your ears. I also teach you how to make a funky bead known as a tornado bead, which incorporates fine wire and glass seed beads. These beads are excellent for using up scrap wire and random beads, making them a skill that you will want to add to your jewelry making bag of tricks. It is in this Part 6 video of the full Vol-076 series, that your two (Tornado and Torpedo) twisted beads come together into a perfect storm set of earrings! Additional Resources... Polymer Clay Tutor... “Make what you love... Love what you make.“
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