Helen Breil’s free String Bead tutorial may keep you busy this weekend. This necklace is dusted with mica powders, sealed with spray and filled with pearls.

Helen extrudes the strings and forms them into faux wire that can be shaped (and reshaped) into slinky cages into which you can tuck other beads.

In most places it’s still warm enough to extrude with ease over the end-of-summer holiday. On her website she offers a slideshow that guides you through the process that you can tailor to create your own designs.

Thanks to Helen for providing our entertainment. And check out her texture stamps too.

  • reply Pippa ,

    How wonderful! I would love to have a go, but unfortunately her tutorial page isn’t responding? Too many people wanting to see how on earth she has made this beautiful and incredible necklace I think!!!

  • reply Conny ,

    Another wonderful twist on extruding. Very beautiful, Helen!!! And thanks for showing, Cynthia!

    • reply Marlene Brady ,

      All of Helen’s work is outstanding-including the tutorial. I enjoyed it very much and love all the tips, thank you!

      • reply Sheila Willert ,

        Wow! That is amazing. Great tutorial – what a fun idea starter. Many Thanks!!

        • reply Melinda Hayes ,

          How cool is this! Thanks.

          • reply Maria Petkova ,

            This great necklace immediately catches the eye!And a very useful tutorial of Helen Breil.Thank you Helen for the lesson! Thanks Cynthia for sharing it!

            • reply Helen Breil ,

              Thanks so much for the great comments everyone. I had a lot of fun playing with this technique and coming up with these designs. I’ve been meaning to do a free tutorial for a long time – to give back to the very generous polymer community out there and to thank my great and loyal customers. I love that you call them Faux Wire Cynthia – that was my first name for them! Thanks for sharing the tutorial with everyone.

              • reply Barb Fajardo ,

                Wonderful tutorial Helen! Love your String Beads…

                • reply Tina at CreatedWithFire Studios ,

                  Wonderful, this is just what I have been looking for… AMAZING tutorial, thank you for sharing ! Can not wait to try !

                  • reply Cassy Muronaka ,

                    Beautiful necklace, great tutorial, Helen. Thanks for sharing this, Cynthia.

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