How to Make Millefiori
- 1). Divide your clay into sections for the various layers of the your bead cane. Start with the color you want to use for the center core and plan each of the next layers (from the inside out) to use about twice the amount of clay as the last layer.
- 2). Roll the center of the cane. Create a long, thin chord by rolling the clay back and forth between a flattened hand and your flat work surface. Try to keep the thickness of the cord as smooth and even as possible.
- 3). Cover the core with a second layer of clay. Roll the next layer flat with your rolling pin. Again, try to roll the sheet as evenly as possible to ensure that the layers in your millefiori are even. Wrap the flattened layer once around the center cane, trimming the edges straight with your blade.
- 4). Wrap the other layers in the same manner. Your millefiori cane can be as few as two layers or as many as you like. The more layers you have, the more contrast you'll want in the darkness of the colors, or the thicker you'll want your cane to be in order for the sections to be visible.
- 5). Roll the completed cane to the desired thickness. Once you've wrapped the final layer, you can roll the entire cane to a smaller size. The layers will reduce in size together.
- 6). Chill the cane. Place the finished cane in your freezer for about 10 minutes. This will firm up the clay and help keep it from smearing when you cut cross sections.
- 7). Cut cross sections. Cut thin disks if you plan to wrap the sections around another piece to decorate. Create slightly thicker sections if you plan to poke holes through them to make them into beads.
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