Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Make Polymer Clay Beads

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Long ago – about 20 years – I made one of my first batch of Fimo polymer clay beads. They were lovely marbled beads with white, silver and a pretty teal Fimo colour. The necklace I made with those beads is one the recipient (hi mom!) still wears occasionally. The beads seem very simple to me now but I can’t deny they were great beads.

 This tutorial from the kind folks at WooJr is pretty much the same deal. The colours in the instructions are a good pick, too, but really… marble whatever colours strike your fancy. The more twisting and mixing, the finer the streaks in your marble. If you want nice chunky colour chunks, marble less or add that colour strand later in the mixing. If you want finely marbled streaks,use thinner snakes and mix longer.

My basic bead making tips: bake beads in accordion folded copy paper or card. Hole your beads before baking by twisting a pin through in one direction and then back through from the other direction. This helps keep the holes from deforming your beads. Make sure whatever you use to pierce your beads makes holes large enough for you to work with because reaming lots of beads is really tedious. If you want to string your beads on 1mm cord, for example, make sure your holes will take that with a bit of wiggle room. Want beads for your dreads or macrame? Use a pencil (and larger beads) or knitting needle to make your holes.

Looking for beading supplies? Check out these jewelry-making supplies at BeebeeCrafts . For more DIY tutorials on making projects with beads check out our sister site Craftbits.com where we have a full section with over 100 bead craft ideas dedicated to DIY beading crafts and projects.

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DIY Doily Pinch Bowl Set with Matching Platter

There’s something so satisfying about creating a whole handmade set that feels like it belongs together. After experimenting with my grandmother’s doilies on flat slabs of clay, I wanted to see how they would look when pressed onto a curved form. That’s how this set of three doily pinch bowls was born—each one textured on the outside with lace, glazed in soft tones, and displayed together on a matching pink speckled doily platter.

It’s a beautiful way to combine sentimental textiles with modern pottery design. The finished set makes a charming serving arrangement for nibbles, dips, or trinkets, and it doubles as a decorative centerpiece when not in use.

Materials You’ll Need

  • White pottery clay (stoneware or porcelain) 
  • Rolling pin 
  • Crochet doily (preferably a smaller one for consistent texture) 
  • Sponge and water 
  • Small bowls or your hands (to form the pinch bowls) 
  • Knife or clay cutter 
  • Plastic wrap 
  • Kiln access (or community pottery studio) 
  • White glaze 
  • Pink speckled glaze (or white glaze with pink oxide) 

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Prepare the Clay

Cut your clay into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball about the size of a small orange.

Step 2: Form the Pinch Bowls

Using your thumbs, gently press into the center of each clay ball and pinch outward, rotating as you go, until you form small bowl shapes. Keep the walls fairly even, but don’t worry about perfection—pinch bowls are meant to have a rustic, organic charm.

Step 3: Press the Doily Texture

Drape a crochet doily around the outside of each bowl. Gently press it into the surface with your fingers or a rolling pin. Carefully peel it back to reveal the lace impression. Each bowl will carry the delicate detail of the doily, almost like a frozen textile pattern.

Step 4: Refine the Shape

Smooth the rims with a damp sponge, rounding off any sharp edges. Leave the outside textured, but clean up the insides of the bowls so they’re smooth for glazing.

Step 5: Dry and Fire

Let the bowls dry slowly until bone dry. Bisque fire them with the platter if you’re making the full set together.

Step 6: Glaze and Finish

For a cohesive look, glaze the pinch bowls in soft white or cream, allowing the doily texture to stand out. Place them on the matching pink speckled doily platter (created using the earlier technique) for a complete serving set.

Styling Ideas

  • Serving Set: Use the three bowls for nuts, olives, and dips when entertaining. 
  • Jewelry Dishes: Perfect for holding rings, bracelets, and earrings on your dresser. 
  • Decorative Accent: Place them on the platter as a centerpiece with seasonal décor inside (dried flowers, crystals, or potpourri). 
  • Gift Idea: Wrap the full set as a handmade, one-of-a-kind present for weddings or housewarmings. 

Why I Love This Project

These bowls carry a story. The lace impressions remind me of my grandmother’s hand-crocheted doilies, yet the final design feels fresh and modern. Displayed together on the platter, they become more than functional—they’re a handmade heirloom set that blends memory with everyday beauty.