Cylindrical Mirror Beads: Free Polymer Clay Tutorial
Turn high-contrast scrap clay into smooth cylindrical beads with a symmetrical mirrored pattern. This technique is a playful variation on the familiar Natasha or mirror bead.
Materials and tools
- Scrap clay in different colors
- Sharp clay blade
- Small circle cutter
- Needle tool for making a bead hole
Technique overview
Twist contrasting scraps into a rectangular block, cut it lengthwise, and rotate the cut pieces to reveal mirrored patterns. Reassemble the sections, gently roll them into a cylinder, trim the ends, add clay end caps, and pierce before curing. It’s easy and the first cut’s mirrored pattern is always a surprise.
Process photographs
Twisted and squared beads
Twisted and squared beads
Sliced in half for a perfect mirror
Sliced in half for a perfect mirror
Rolling them smooth
Rolling them smooth
Capped and finished!
Related artwork
Read the cylinder bead project story • Browse all polymer clay galleries
