How to Make Beads from Flour and Water

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

  1. Image titled Make Beads from Flour and Water Step 1
    1
    Mix the flour and salt.[1]
  2. Image titled Make Beads from Flour and Water Step 2
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    Add water and mix well.[2]
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  3. Image titled Make Beads from Flour and Water Step 3
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    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]
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    Shape the beads. Take small pieces and work them into ovals, circles, squares, or whatever shape takes your fancy.[4]
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    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]
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    Bake the beads in an oven at 250ºF/120ºC for 2 - 3 hours. Check regularly to see how the beads are. They are done when there is no moisture left and they feel hard to the touch.[6]
  7. Image titled Make Beads from Flour and Water Step 7
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    Remove from oven and allow to cool on a rack.[7]
  8. Image titled Make Beads from Flour and Water Step 8
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    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]
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    Allow paint to dry thoroughly.
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    Completely finished beads can be lacquered for a beautifully shiny finish.[9]
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    What is the food coloring for?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The 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.
  • Question
    Can I bake the beads for a short time?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can but not for less than 1 hour or your beads won't finish. You need to wait and be patient.
  • Question
    Are these beads water resistant? Do they break easily?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If 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.
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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

  • Flour
  • Salt
  • Water
  • Oven
  • Acrylic or other suitable paint (optional)
  • Paintbrushes (optional)
  • Skewer or other long thin object (optional)

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SmfpX-GmDs
  2. ↑ https://www.redtedart.com/salt-dough-recipe-beads/
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHJxuHhKY2w
  4. ↑ http://www.auntannie.com/CraftRecipes/ModelingDough/
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvtabCQEGOE
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SmfpX-GmDs
  7. ↑ https://www.redtedart.com/salt-dough-recipe-beads/
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SmfpX-GmDs
  9. ↑ https://www.redtedart.com/salt-dough-recipe-beads/

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 33 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 218,948 times.
146 votes - 90%
Co-authors: 33
Updated: October 21, 2021
Views: 218,948
Categories: Beading
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