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How to… make Sand Beads

29 July 2011 23 Comments

Hello Welcome back to this week’s tutorial: How to Make Sand Beads! That is right making beads, from more or less JUST SAND! I first had the idea whilst having a twitter chat about plaster of paris (don’t ask) and I suddenly wondered whether it was “possible”… There seemed to be “very little” out there. So I had a go! And guess what, it works, brilliantly!

My main “weakness” was the painting – I think as with any beads, it is final finish that really gives it that “something”. And I am not too experienced at bead painting – e.g. getting a nice marbled bead or a nicely decorated bead. Neither am I very good at “mixed media” – I genuinely believe these would look fabulous mixed and matched with say some felt beads…

So.. how to make sand beads:

Materials:

Sand (sifted) & white glue & a skewer.

Yep, that is it! And you really don’t need much!

1) For about 12 beads, I think I used roughly 6 table spoons of sand & 2-3 table spoons of glue (squirted directly onto the sand). Mix it until it feels like “wet sand” – a bit like that hideous stuff moon sand.. i.e. you can shape it a little by squeezing it gently.

2) Take a small amount -and form into a ball, by cupping one hand & squeezing with the finger tips of the other. You cannot “roll” these like playdough. It is a forming and squeezing process. A bit fiddly at first, but gets easier as you get the hang of it. Try and make them as small as possible (I think mine are approx 1cm in diameter), as they are just too chunky and clumsy looking otherwise (I made 3 attempts!).

3) Use skewer to make the hole. Make sure the skewer is clean. I found I had to wash the skewer and my hands every 4-5 beads.

4) Let dry – it doesn’t take long – a day or so.

5) Paint. I confess, I repainted this about 3 times, trying to work out what look nicest and settled on our metallic paints.. now I would love for some one more bead talented to have a go and come up with a fabulous design or marbling technique!

6) Thread and enjoy! So.. what do you think?

And here is the kid’s Salt Dough Beads inspired version..

And why not visit my good friend Chris over at Thinly Spread for her fabulous “Something for the Weekend” linky?

(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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23 Comments »

Amanda @ Having Fun said:

ooh, these look great. I’m going to make them with my 8 & 10 year old girls. I’ll let you know how they go. Is it ok to blog about it with full credit and link backs to you? Amanda x

# 29 July 2011 at 8:15 am

Red Ted Art (author) said:

Absolutely!!! Hope it goes ok with 8yrs old!! They are little tricky at first, would prob recommend for older children, but having said that would love to hear how it goes!

# 29 July 2011 at 10:16 am

Merry said:

I like it – very novel indeed

# 29 July 2011 at 12:12 pm

Esther said:

I love the blue metallic color! The idea of sand beads sounds fun! We have to try the salt dough and the sand beads.

# 29 July 2011 at 12:37 pm

Esther said:

and I understand the difficulty of painting. How about adding some food color or paint to the glue? But may be we won’t get the same neat look as painting!

# 29 July 2011 at 12:40 pm

Red Ted Art (author) said:

Merry – thank you
Esther – have fun! Would love to see how yours come out! Colouring the sand beforehand is a great idea!

# 29 July 2011 at 1:13 pm

Chris at Thinly Spread said:

Genius! Never tried this…I may have to raid the sand pit!

# 29 July 2011 at 4:23 pm

miss bliss said:

I love how the metallic paint turned out! great texture and color…

# 30 July 2011 at 7:35 am

Erika said:

How well do these hold up? Are they pretty sturdy? Or do they start falling apart since they are just sand?

Thanks! Very cute idea!

# 2 August 2011 at 5:29 am

kerry said:

Loved them, you could try to spray paint them, very small spray guns and mini compressors can be brought from bunnings at a reasonable price, would be able to get the swirly effect using gun.

# 2 August 2011 at 10:22 am

clairelouise said:

Wow I love these and the blue is my fav colour, they look great.x

# 3 August 2011 at 11:36 pm

Red Ted Art (author) said:

Have been away a few days – love the spray paint idea – a technique I am yet to explore!

And Erika – they are VERY TOUGH – in fact, SURPRISINGLY tough.. didn’t expect them to be so solid, but they are. If you are using acrylic paints you add an extra layer of sturdiness! So yes, I would highly recommend!

# 7 August 2011 at 2:30 pm

Melanie said:

How cute! Thanks so much for sharing!

I’d love to have you visit our first linky party this Thursday! It’s a party specifically for kids and teenagers craft and other ideas, so your idea will be absolutely perfect! Hope you’ll stop by!

bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com

# 8 August 2011 at 2:26 pm

Red Ted Art (author) said:

Ooh sounds like a great linky topic (esp for the teens!) will stop by on Thursday! Thanks!

# 8 August 2011 at 7:28 pm

Johnnie said:

This is so cool! Stopping by to invite you to link up to Thrifty Thursdays. Blessings!

Johnnie

# 11 August 2011 at 10:55 am

creativejewishmom/sara said:

lovely!did you see my version with sharpie pens from last summer? I also did a crafting feature with sand beads for a big American magazine, which I can’t wait to share soon,using paint pens to decorate the beads. thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!

# 11 August 2011 at 2:01 pm

Red Ted Art (author) said:

Well I never! Great minds really do think alike!! I am not sure I saw your stones last year, but will go and have a look ASAP and how funny re the Sand Beads! Can’t wait to see your finished items too!

# 11 August 2011 at 2:17 pm