What would you make with GIANT beads? We had a lot of fun making the beads but even more fun dreaming up uses for them. After the tutorial I’ll share a few of the ways we used them and I’d love to hear your suggestions too!
I love supersizing projects! I was trying to decide between a few polymer clay ideas for this post when it occurred to me to simply make it big.
Here’s a tip whenever you are facing a creative slump: change the scale. Just changing your perspective on the size of your project can open up entirely new possibilities. Take crayon drawings to the floor on giant sheets of butcher paper or use fine brushes to paint mini postage stamps, or in the case of today’s project, take something typically thought of as fine and delicate, clay beads, and blow the scale up 10 times!
This post sponsored by one of my favorite brands Sculpey. All opinions are entirely my own.
This post contains affiliate links to products.
GIANT Sculpey Beads
Materials
- Sculpey This is color set we used
- Aluminum Foil The flimsier the better!
- Bamboo Skewer
- Pasta Machine OR Rolling Pin
- Baking Sheet/Oven
Instructions
- Step One Tear off a square piece of foil and roll into a ball between your hands. Lightweight foil (dollar store versions) are the best! Roll it as smooth as possible but don’t worry of it’s a little lumpy.
- Step Two Break off chunks of a few colors of Sculpey. Press them together into a ball. It helps to knead the clay a little before combining; polymer clay gets more flexible as it warms up.
- Step Three If you are using a pasta machine set it to the highest setting so that your clay is the thickest sheet possible. If using a rolling pin roll out your clay to into an approximately 1/8” thick sheet.
- Step Four Place the aluminum foil ball in the center of the clay sheet and wrap the ball. Tear off any excess clay.
- Step Five Roll the clay and foil ball between your hands or on the table to make it smooth. Don’t worry of it’s still a little lumpy.
- Step Six Pierce the ball through the center using a bamboo skewer. Pat down the hole on the opposite side and enlarge it again using the skewer if necessary.
- Step Seven Bake according to the package direction. We baked ours in a 275-degree oven for 15 minutes. Remove and let cool.
You’re done!
TIP: Don’t throw these! The clay bakes to a hard but brittle consistency, if you throw these on a hard surface you will get cracks. If you want to use these as balls I suggest using Sculpey Bake and Bend Clay.
What the heck should you make with these?
I love these super sized beads! Here are some ideas we came up with to put them to good use:
Statement Necklace
Door Hanger
Garland
Keychain
Backpack Hanger
Funky Lei
Ornaments I know it’s not the holiday season yet but just wait; it will be here before you know it!
Pretend Play My daughter was itching to play with these the second she laid eyes on them.
How would you use these? Leave a comment with your ideas!
Looks Like
Claes Oldenberg. When talking about scale there is no one better to look to than Claes Oldenberg. If you aren’t familiar with his work, Oldenberg is an American sculptor who is famous for portraying everyday objects at a GIANT scale. Because he often works with LA architect Frank Gehry I have been familiar with his work ever since I started driving around LA on self guided architectural tours as 20-something architecture student. The Binoculars Building, collaboration between the artist and architect immediately pops into my head from those days! Oldenberg’s work is synonymous with pop art but has endured beyond that movement; he is now famous for his public art installations which continue to this day. He also famously collaborated with his late wife Coosje van Bruggen on many of his projects; I am always fascinated by creative power couples. I promise that Oldenberg’s work will bring a smile to your face!
Conclusion & More
The next time you are facing a creative block remember this: SUPERSIZE IT! I can’t wait to dream up more uses for our GIANT Scupley beads!
We love SCULPEY!
Here are other Sculpey projects we’ve tackled in the past:
Erica says
You’re beads turned out gorgeous!!!!!! I have always wanted to do Sculpey with my boys. They would probably be into it if we made little marbles. Thanks for the inspiration.
Your, not “You’re”. How embarrassing.
I’m always so inspired by your creativity. My kids will love to try this project. Time to order some Sculpey!
love it! So creative. We haven’t tried sculpy but I’m putting in the list for our next craft store run. Thanks for the ideas!
Thanks Julie! LOVE Scupley!!!
I recommend this for older ladies, like myself who are having trouble holding the small crochet hook…..I realize this is a kid craft, maybe they could just make one for the granny…..just a thought.
Love hearing this Amanda! I do all my projects too and ahem…sometimes I have more fun than the kids……
We really need to have a play with some sculpey… I see it (or similar – I think it has a different brand name here) in the shops and am always tempted but never buy. Now I am inspired!
LOVE these bold pops of color!
Thank you! I’m a color nut and it sounds like you are too 😉