Is it possible to make a polymer clay bead to look similar to a dichroid bead?

Question

I finally figured out how to make a polymer clay bead to look like lampwork glass beads. I make focal beads with my clay and use it in my jewelry.

Answer 1

Matthew Nix has created some fabulous pieces that may interest you.

He used to sell videos (not sure if the still does that). He also used to post on craftster.org (a great source for PC artists, by the way).

Another great source for this type of info is glassattic.com

Answer 2

Hi, I'm the owner of the website mentioned above, glassattic.com.

There are so many pages at my site that I wanted to give you a direct link to the page that discusses *various ways* to simulate dichroic glass with polymer clay (Matthew's ways are there too):
http://glassattic.com/polymer/Faux--many.htm
(... click on DICHROIC GLASS...)

(Some of the specific materials that are sometimes used may be discussed further on some of the other pages at the site though... you'll either be directed to them from the text on the page give above, or you can look on the Table of Contents page to see where they might be, then go to them from inside the alphabetical navigation bar on the left.)

P.S. If you're interested in examples of other faux lampwork made with polymer clay too, you might have fun checking out this page:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/LiquidSculpey.htm
(... click on DRIZZLING, PIPING...)


Btw, I assumed you just mistyped when you spelled dichroic, but if *dichroid* beads are really something different, ask another question and explain more of what that might mean.


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 3

Try using the Faux Dichro Luminous Elements you can find in the Fire Mountain Gems & Jewelry Catalog or website. The Luminous elements can be used along with Liquid Glass or Lisa Pavelka's glaze. Donna Kato (my poly-hero!) has a really nice tute on her website on making faux dichro cabs out of foils and liquid clay. give these two a try...