Acrylic beads jewelry is one of the very popular bead projects. People who love to do beads craft generally buy acrylic beads. However, if you are much fascinated with these clear beads, you can undertake a different type of acrylic bead project this time- making acrylic beads yourself! Here is a step-by-step instructions on how to make acrylic beads for your next project- the acrylic beads jewelry!

How are Acrylic Beads Made?

Before going on to make acrylic beads with the help of molds, it is desirable for you to know as to how the professional beads manufacturers make acrylic beads. Acrylic beads are made with acrylic which is a clear plastic. It looks like glass but is stronger and much lighter than glass. Acrylic beads are made through the process 'suspension polymerization'. This process gives material with a lower molecular weight which can be used for typical melt processing like casting, molding, extrusion or vacuum and pressure forming.

How to Make Acrylic Beads at Home?

For making acrylic beads at home, you will require a mold. So, before making acrylic bead, you must make a mold. The materials that you would require to make mold and the acrylic beads are as follows:

• A bead of your choice (the shape and size you want your acrylic beads to be)
• A wire (1/16-inch diameter)
• Talcum powder
• Acrylic kit
• Resin dye
• Polymer molding clay
• An oven
• A metal tray
• Aluminum foil
• A face mask
• A pair of gloves
• Goggles
• Newspaper
• Cups or anything that can hold epoxy.

Steps for Making Acrylic Beads

• Take the newspaper and lay out 3 layers on a leveled surface. Put the bead you have selected on the newspaper and thread about a four inch long wire through its hole.
• Take a piece of modeling clay make a ball of it. Make its surface a little flat and put evenly some talcum powder on it.
• Now take the chosen wired bead and embed half of it into the clay ball and then remove with care.
• Put the prepared clay mold on an aluminum foil and and place it on the metal tray. Bake it in the oven for twenty minutes at 275 degrees F.
• Let it cool.
• Take another piece modeling clay and make a ball out of it, spread talcum powder and flatten a little on the surface. Cover the wired bead completely. Ensure that the clay is flush against the mold which you have already baked. The wire should also stick out at both ends.
• Now with utmost care, remove the first half of the mold and the bead. Place the second impression on aluminum foil and then on tray. Bake the second half of the mold in oven for twenty minutes at 275 degrees F.
• Remove and allow it to cool.
• Now wear the gloves, goggles and face mask and remove the wire from the bead. Roll it in talc powder and place it in the groove on the first mold. Set the second mold on top of the first one lining up the grooves.
• Now pick up your acrylic epoxy kit that comes with two bottles. Mix some of the portions of both the bottles in a cup for at least a minute and add epoxy dyes to give color to your acrylic beads. Mix it evenly.
• Now pour this mixture into the mold through the hole around the wire and let the acrylic get hardened.
• When your home made acrylic bead is ready remove it from the mold and take out the wire from it.