How to Apply Metal Leaf to Polymer Clay Beads

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Adding metal leaf to beads & clay to give a crackled or speckled effect.

Step 1
If you are making round beads firstly roll your conditioned clay into a smooth formed ball.



Step 2
Either pull small pieces of the foil off the sheet to place on the ball, or crumble the foil into flakes & gently roll ball in the foil, depending on what effect you desire. 



Step 3
Then gently roll the bead again using your hands & the foil will stick to the clay (no adhesive is needed)

Try experimenting with the foil, you can also mix your foil colours copper and gold together etc.



Step 3 (alternative method)
You can also press pieces of foil onto a flat piece of clay then pass it through your pasta machine.



Step 4
Alternatively you can use a clay roller to gently crackle the clay. Either way will give you a lovely crackle finish.  Try rolling in different directions to create different crackle patterns.

Then use your favourite clay cutters and cut shapes for earrings, brooches, and other jewellery components.
Just use your imagination!



Step 5
Now pierce your beads & bake your beads & other components according to the manufacturer instructions.

When your clay is completely cool you will need to apply a sealant to prevent the foil flaking off or discolouring over time. Using a small brush apply the sealant over the top of the metallic leaf. Leave to completely dry.
There are a few choices of sealant available from gloss, semi-gloss to matte.

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