Tumbling and Polishing Metal Beads

by Judy Larson

Here's a simple way to keep tumbling shot from getting stuck in bead holes.

Instructions

The holes on many hand-made beads and some machine-made beads are sometimes large enough that tumbling shot can easily get inside the bead, be stuck there, and then be almost impossible to remove. Stringing the beads on one or more wires to fill the holes so shot can't slip into them while tumbling will eliminate that problem. But do not remove the wires after taking the beads out of the tumbler. The wires make it easier to swish the beads around in patina solution as well as to remove them from it, rinse them, etc.

Judy Larson's Tumbling and Polishing Metal Beads - , General Education, Filing, Finishing, , tumbling metal beads

What type of wire and gauge should be used? Whatever works! Whatever you have on hand that will not break the bank is perfect. Sometimes one or two heavier gauge wires is all that will be needed. Other times, more finer gauge wires work better. My hand-made Bali-Style beads were strung on silver plated copper craft wire. Below with a silver metal clay bead series I am working on, copper wire was used.

Be frugal. Straighten the used wire and store it to be used with the next bead project. Each of us has different needs. Personally, with less hand strength and with the number of beads I make, I find I use wire with beads a lot so I keep it accessible, not stored away.

Even with good hand strength, it can be difficult to hold onto a single bead while polishing it or highlighting it after patina has been applied. Single beads can go flying no matter what process or tool is being used. Leaving at least one wire through the beads makes it so much easier to grasp and control each bead as it is being worked on. Polish away without the fear of losing a bead somewhere in your workroom, only to find it weeks, months, or years later. Then it is just a matter of adding the wires back through the beads to give them a final tumble polish.

Materials

No materials listed

Tools

Stainless Steel Shot - 1 lb Bag

G24-4

G24-4
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $43.95
Gold Club Price: $32.96

Add to Bag

Thumlers Tumbler Model T Rock Tumbler Kit

G34-100

G34-100
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $172.76
Gold Club Price: $129.57

Out of Stock

Add All Items to Cart

Category: General Education
Technique(s): Filing / Finishing, General Education

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!

Tumbling and Polishing Metal Beads

Materials

Tools

Reviews

Judy Larson

Other Tips by Judy Larson

Supplies

Resources

About Us

Connect With Us