Leaf beads are a popular craft to do when learning how to make antique jewellery from clay. It is really simple, and it uses all the techniques you need to know when making clay jewellery.

All you will need to make your leaf beads is a small ball of metal clay, a textured leaf, a clean working surface, eight (8) playing cards (or more if you would like a bigger bead), a roller, olive oil, your sharp knife, a two (2) inch straw, your kiln, vermiculite and an emery board or a jeweller's file.

Place the clay in between two stacks of four (4) playing cards on each side. Rub a little olive oil on your roller to prevent the clay from sticking and start flattening the clay to your desired
thickness. Position the leaf over the clay and roll again, and then remove the leaf. Cut out the excess until you have the image of a leaf, then wrap the clay leaf around your straw.

To keep the leaf in 3D form, place the straw in a bowl of vermiculite while it dries. Once it's dry, fire it immediately in the kiln. Be careful not to breathe in any of the hazardous fumes. After this, you'll have a rolled up white leaf bead.

For the finishing touches, file the fine edges using an emery board or a jeweller's file. If you have a polisher, you can polish your bead to achieve a shinier finish. If you want to make more beads for your jewellery, then you can simply repeat the process and fire as much beads as you'd want.