Before working with clay, you'll need to condition, or soften slightly, the clay. Simply roll the clay between your hands and fingers, folding it back into itself several times until the clay stretches rather than breaks apart.
You can make round (or mostly round) single-colored beads in a snap by following these instructions: Pinch off a piece of clay in any color you like and condition it for 4-5 minutes. Roll the clay on the table with the palm of your hand in a circular motion to make the bead round. Insert a toothpick through the center of the bead. Make sure the hole you create reaches through the entire bead so you can string the beads. You don't want an exit wound on one side of bead, so insert the toothpick until just the tip comes through the other side. Then flip the bead around, and insert the toothpick in the same spot it exited. Bake the beads according to the packaged directions in an oven-safe dish. Allow the beads to cool before stringing.
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