Got some nice scrap clay? Or small bits of unused colored clay? Make some faux polymer clay heishi! It’s fun, the combinations are endless and best of all SUPER EASY!
Okay, you will need the following:
At least 2 – 4 balls of clay – either solid colors or marbled scrap. Balls should be about 1 inch diameter
2 mm double pointed knitting needles (Size 0 in knitting). I have at least 6.
Also have on hand sharp scissors, small bowls or cups to hold the cut pieces.
Clay blade of course! And a pair of pliers
I bake on scrap pieces of cardboard
Thread a ball of clay about 1 inch in diameter .75 inch also will work. Begin rolling along your CLEAN work surface to start the clay moving along the needle.
As the clay spreads along the needle, you can help it by gently spreading your fingers but keep your hand at a slight angle so that you don’t put “grooves” in the clay. Once it gets long enough for two hands, turn your hands slightly towards each other and gently pull your hands apart as you roll to help lengthen and smooth the clay quickly. When you reach the desired size for your heishi, you can trim the ends a little and set aside on your baking tray. NOTE: Your clay doesn’t all have to be perfectly matching diameters – in fact a little variation adds more texture!
If you are using marbled scrap clay, just roll it out the same way EXCEPT I like to gently twist the ends to twist the colors along the needle. And then say (out loud), “I MEANT TO DO THAT!”
One needle of each color will make one bracelet and probably a pair of earrings with some pieces left over.
Bake all your clay according to the clay package directions.
Once the clay is baked and cooled slightly, gently grasp the end of the needle with your pliers and give a gently twist to the clay to break contact with the needle and pull the clay off the needle. Repeat with the other needles.
I like to keep my baked clay tubes on top of my oven while I’m baking other clays so that the tubes stay warm to make cutting easier, but they can be cut at room temperature as well. So, start chopping! Don’t worry about making perfect cuts or perfect sizes – in fact the variation makes it more interesting. I drop the finished heishi into my little cup for each color.
Okay, now just string the heishi on the fabric elastic in a random color pattern. As the end of the elastic starts to fray, just use some sharp scissors to retrim the end.
Measure the bracelet around your wrist for size. I like mine a little loose. Once you have the correct size, just tie a double knot in the ends and trim them with about 2 inches on each end. Then I add 2-3 (or 4) heishi on each side and tie a single knot and trim. NOW I don’t have to worry about hiding a knot!
I’m betting you will already have your next color combination in mind!
You can also add heishi to earrings or thread some onto a piece of 18 gauge wire and make a rather nice little pendant!
Here is the photo I posted on FB that shows a heishi made with solid colors and one made with just scrap clay that I twisted once I rolled it on the skewer. (The faux amber bangle is Liquid Sculpey Amber in a resin mold and the leather-look one is Souffle Cinnamon).
Heishi can also be used to fill the back of a polymer clay or beaded necklace. It’s comfortable and can help “bulk out” the necklace especially if you have larger focal beads.
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