Download Article
Download Article
Making simple beads at home with the kids can be as easy as pulling the flour out of the pantry, adding water and being creative with the paints!
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 1/2 cups cold water
- Food coloring (optional)
Steps
-
Mix the flour and salt. [1] X Research source
-
Add water and mix well. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
-
Knead the "dough" that you've created for 10 - 15 minutes. If it feels flexible when you bend it and does not fall to pieces, it is ready for shaping. [3] X Research source
-
Shape the beads. Take small pieces and work them into ovals, circles, squares, or whatever shape takes your fancy. [4] X Research source
-
Make a hole in the bead. If you are using your beads to turn into a necklace or bracelet, make a hole in the center with a skewer or other thin long object. If you are using the beads for other projects, you may not want to have holes in them. [5] X Research source
-
Remove from oven and allow to cool on a rack. [7] X Research source
-
Paint your beads. Decide which colors you'd like to make your beads and paint them. Include spots, stripes, shapes and other designs on them. Even little people or animal figures can be effective if you have detailed painting skills. [8] X Research source
-
Allow paint to dry thoroughly.
-
Completely finished beads can be lacquered for a beautifully shiny finish. [9] X Research source
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionWhat is the food coloring for?Community AnswerThe food coloring can be used if you want to dye the bead "dough" specific colors. Note that the beads will come out of the oven a lighter shade of the color than the dough was dyed.
-
QuestionCan I bake the beads for a short time?Community AnswerYes, you can but not for less than 1 hour or your beads won't finish. You need to wait and be patient.
-
QuestionAre these beads water resistant? Do they break easily?Community AnswerIf you use a sealant, such as clear nail polish or Mod Podge, they will be somewhat water resistant, and will not fall apart. If you do not use a sealant, then no, they won’t be water resistant and yes, they will break.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- You can add food coloring to the dough to make the beads colored.Thanks
- Stamping a pattern onto the beads can also be very effective. You can use actual stamps for this but anything with a defined pattern will work.Thanks
- Try making marble shapes and playing a game of marbles with specially painted beads. Or think of other games that you might be able to make using the beads.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- Don't eat the dough as it's highly salty.Thanks
- Always use an oven mitt to remove hot items from an oven.Thanks
- Only adults should use the oven. Children should never be allowed to use the oven without adult supervision.Thanks
Advertisement
Things You'll Need
- Flour
- Salt
- Water
- Oven
- Acrylic or other suitable paint (optional)
- Paintbrushes (optional)
- Skewer or other long thin object (optional)
References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SmfpX-GmDs
- ↑ https://www.redtedart.com/salt-dough-recipe-beads/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHJxuHhKY2w
- ↑ http://www.auntannie.com/CraftRecipes/ModelingDough/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvtabCQEGOE
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SmfpX-GmDs
- ↑ https://www.redtedart.com/salt-dough-recipe-beads/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SmfpX-GmDs
- ↑ https://www.redtedart.com/salt-dough-recipe-beads/
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 226,321 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I made some worry beads recently using putty and polyfilla. I wanted to know how to use something safe if swallowed by children. Your method, using dough, seems very safe, and is demonstrated neatly. Thank you." ..." more
Advertisement