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Decorating a polymer clay bicone shaped bead with self-made canes, adds to
the diversity of bead making techniques.
Cane slices give bicone beads a wonderful central
swirl to the bead. You will need the following tools and materials; a
spiral cane (see here for how to make a spiral cane),
polymer clay
- in a contrasting or matching colour to the cane slices, a Perspex sheet
about 4 in (10cm) square or a clear CD case and a
large needle
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Step 1
First make a large round bead following the instructions here. The ideal
size to get used to this technique is at least 1 in (25mm) diameter. Cut
three slices from the spiral cane
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Step 2
Apply the cane slices to the top half of the bead, positioning them evenly
round the bead and leaving a space in the centre as shown
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Step 3 Place your clear sheet
over the bead and gently rotate it in a clockwise direction in the same
way as for making a bicone bead - see the instructions here. You need to
centre your rotating sheet in the middle of the three cane slices
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Step 4 Continue rolling the bead with the
sheet. The centre of the bead will become pointed and the cane slices will
sink into the bead’s surface. The slices will migrate
towards the centre of the bead forming a central swirl
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Step 5
The resulting bead showing the cane slices swirling
towards the centre into a paisley pattern. You can now pierce the bead
following the instructions in “Bicone Beads”
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