Designed by Linda Peterson

Materials:
AMACO® Friendly Plastic® Pellets
AMACO® Friendly Plastic® 1 1/2″ x 7″ Stick–White
AMACO® Bead Roller of choice (Set 6, large oval bead roller used)
Pink mica powder (or color of choice)
Alcohol ink–wild plum (or color of choice)
2 bead caps
20 gauge non-tarnish silver wire
Electric skillet 
Needle Tool (or something to lift mat out of water)
Non-Stick cookie mat
Baby Oil
Scissors
Bowl of cold water
Towel
Toothpick
Petroleum jelly

Hint: Coat hands with baby oil to prevent plastic from sticking.

Step 1
Set electric skillet between the warm and simmer setting. Water should be warm enough to soften plastic but not too hot for your fingers.

Step 2
Mixing colors into pellets: Place pellets on non-stick mat and soften until they are clear. Add mica powder to pellets. Peel plastic from mat and work powder into plastic. Place plastic in water to soften again if necessary. Heat another batch of pellets and add two drops of alcohol ink. Work in.  

Step 3
Place both colors and strip of white Friendly Plastic® into hot water to soften.

 

 

 

 

Step 4
Remove from water and stretch each color making a thin strip. Allow too cool slightly and cut random shaped pieces of each color with scissors.

 

 

 

Step 5
Float non-stick mat on water–apply colored pieces as desired. Press into water to soften.

 

 

 

 

Step 6
Once softened, use needle tool to lift out of water. Allow water to drip off. Peel off plastic.

 

 

 

 

Step 7

Roll plastic into a ball and then into a log. Twist to create swirl pattern.

 

 

 

 

Step 8
If necessary, drop plastic to soften back into water. Roll into a log approximately 1″ long and 1/2″ diameter. Cut plastic to a large marble size (use technique in video to measure appropriate amount).

 

 

 

Step 9
Roll plastic into a ball and place into bead roller. Gently place on lid.  Apply light pressure as you roll the lid back and forth to form the bead. If you have too much plastic, it will ooze out the side–simply take some away. If you have too little plastic, it will not complete the shape. Add additional plastic.

Step 10
As the bead forms and takes shape, you can gently increase pressure to complete the bead rolling process.

Step 11
Drop finished bead into cold water for approximately 5 seconds to harden outside layer of plastic. 

 

 

 

 

Step 12
Coat toothpick with petroleum jelly. Gently drill through bead until it pokes out the other side. Any excess plastic can simply be trimmed away with scissors.

Tip: If you happen to distort your bead, simply apply heat with a heat gun to that area and gently reshape.  

Step 13
When finished drop in ice water to cool. Apply clear casting resin to seal and give it a shiny appearance. Allow to cure completely.

Step 14
Finishing: Thread wire through hole, leaving 3″ extending. Add bead cap to the top. Create a loop. Coil remaining wire. Repeat this for opposite end, adding a bead cap, loop and zig zag or coil if desired. Add pendant to chain or other stringing material of choice.