February 18, 2010- Ceramic beads are becoming very popular for making ceramic bead jewelry and also as craft beads. Clay beads were perhaps among first few types of beads that were made by mankind. The simple reason for this might have been the convenience of making clay beads. Due to its adaptability, clay was liked by early man to be made into beads and these ceramic clay beads are still the favorites for kids craft and jewelry making. However, the earlier day clay beads had simple shapes that have now taken different beautiful and even complex shapes. Now ceramic flower beads or ceramic letter beads among other interesting beads shapes are not at all difficult to be found with ceramic beads wholesale suppliers.

Primitive Technique of Making Ceramic Clay Beads

In earlier days, clay beads were made by rolling bits of dampened earth into shapes and then piercing them with a stick. These clay beads were then laid out in the sun to dry. Gradually, it was discovered that baking or firing clay at higher temperatures made these clay beads more durable. Firing also changed the color of the ceramic clay beads. Natural pigments were used to paint ceramic beads and to decorate the primitive clay beads. However, these paint colors faded over time and therefore liquid glazes were started to be used to seal the clay. Thus the earlier ceramic clay beads became more and more colorful and durable.

Types of Clay Used in Ceramic Bead Making

The term ceramic is used to refer to all forms of fired clay products including ceramic beads. The most common types of materials used for making ceramic beads include Earthenware, Stoneware, Porcelain.

Earthenware: It is the porous clay, commonly found in nature, which is popularly referred to as ceramic. Ceramic beads made from earthenware are generally glazed to make them durable and to give them beautiful colors and designs. Due to a high percentage of iron and other mineral impurities, earthenware is fired at a lower temperatures less than 2000 F. The color of fired earthenware range from tan and red to black.

Stoneware: It is less porous than earthenware which bonds well with glazes. Stoneware is opaque and is fired at higher temperatures. The color of fired stoneware ranges from buff and light gray to dark gray.

Porcelain: It is also known as kaolin or china clay. Porcelain is dense and has white color that becomes translucent when fired. The finished porcelain beads have excellent smooth surfaces. To make porcelain beads, china clay is fired at high temperatures, generally at 2300 F (1200 C) or even higher temperatures.

How to Make Ceramic Beads?

Handmade ceramic beads require the right technique and craftsmanship for making them beautiful pieces to be admired. The ceramic bead jewelry that is made by stringing handmade ceramic beads require a smooth and correctly made hole in the beads. Apart from piercing (to make hole in a ceramic bead), glazing, staining, and firing all have importance in giving the final shape and durability to ceramic clay beads.

Piercing Ceramic Beads- Take the clay and make an even coil by rolling it on a smooth flat surface. Cut the coil into equal pieces. Now roll each piece into a smooth even ball or any other shape that you want to give to the ceramic beads. Keep the shaped pieces aside to let them firm up for a few minutes. Pierce the clay ball with a pointed tool (needle tool, bamboo skewer, or toothpick) of the required hole size into the center of the ball. Gently twist and push the tool while drilling until it just begins to poke out on the other side. Now remove the piercing tool and insert it from the other side and repeat drilling to make a cleaner smooth hole. Remove the ceramic bead from tool and set it aside to dry before firing. However, you can give extra finish to your ceramic beads by glazing or staining them before firing.

Glazing Ceramic Beads- For glazing ceramic beads, support them on a bamboo skewer. Dip a brush in glaze and twirl the beads against this dipped brush. It is more convenient method of glazing ceramic beads than directly dipping them in glaze. If the glaze enters into the beads hole, take a damp (not wet) string or yarn and run it through the holes.

Staining Ceramic Beads- If you do not want to glaze your ceramic beads, you may stain them. Staining of ceramic beads also follow the similar method as that of glazing them. Dip or brush the stain on to the ceramic clay beads and wipe each of the bead with a damp cloth. To save time, you can even use a can with a lid and a sponge lining instead of a cloth. Dip the can in water, squeeze it and keep the stained beads into the sponge liner and cover it with its lid. Now shake the can for a few times which will ensure extra stain to be removed from the beads.

Firing Ceramic Beads- Whether you glaze or stain (or do not glaze or stain), you need to dry the ceramic beads before firing them. Support the glazed beads with wires during the process of firing. Bead trees designed to support beads can be found easily in any craft store. Fire the ceramic beads at suggested temperature for the clay you have used. High-fire method always uses a kiln that is hot enough to melt the glaze into the beads. This fuses the glassy coating to the surface. Beads have to be suspended on rods to prevent the glaze from settling improperly. This method may take many hours because the kiln has to be heated up and then cooled down slowly to prevent ceramic beads from warping or cracking.