glass pearl beads with thin layer clay, which clay to use to be submerged in H20

[renaelock]

I have glass pearl beads that I want to put a thin coating/cover of sculpey or fimo or premo clay over it and bake it to stick in a vase with water beads to making the pearl beads look like they are floating.  I'm putting the clay over the beads because I can't find the pearl beads in the colors I want and I'm not going to spend a bunch of money on varied sizes of beads that are already in the colors I want because it's expensive.  ok so, If I'm doing a very thin cover of the clay over the glass bead, how long am I suppose to cook it for?  Also, I have birds - If I shut their door to their room and have the kitchen window open will they be fine?  How well would the clay on the beads (after baking) hold up underwater for who knows how long?

[Polly]

The pearlescent coating on your glass pearls is probably a form of plastic (or some interesting chemicals), and will most likely crack, burn or melt when you fire the polymer clay, even if you fire for the minimum time recommended on the manufacturer's package. 

How about if you make your own round beads from polymer clay, instead of coating an existing bead?  Then you won't have any worries about how long to fire a very thin layer, or the pearl underneath deforming or cracking.

It is easier to make a (new) round bead, then it is to evenly coat a round item with a thin layer of polymer clay.
In the jewelry & crafting worlds, Magic-Glos is highly recommended as a glossy waterproof sealant for polymer clay. You can also use clear polyurethane varnishes (available at hardware stores) -- there are even versions for boats, so you know this is very waterproof.

Some birds are very sensitive, so although I have never heard or read that anyone's bird was harmed while polymer clay was baking, the precautions you suggest sound like a good idea.

[amyonlyone]

I agree with Polly,make your pearls totally out of clay. I have years of polymer clay experience. When one tries to coat anything in a thin layer of clay and bake it. Rarely does it come out perfect. Air is often trapped between the item and the clay. When baked it tries to escape and creates a bubble to the once smooth surface.

 As for your birds they should be just fine as long as you don't burn the clay. Clay that is cooked too long at a temperature higher that manufacturer's label suggests, can create a toxic fume. This can sometimes happen when using as toaster oven and your item is to close to the heating element.     

[renaelock]

Thank you for your replies.  Your right that it'd probably be easier to just make new beads instead of coating beads.  I was just thinking about that so the clay would go futher.  I might just have to try to make my own beads.  Oh yeah, if I don't put a sealent on the beads would I have any issues?  Or is sealing the beads a must? I don't mind they aren't shiny beads.

[Polly]

You will probably be fine without sealant, especially if you make sure the surfaces of your beads are nice and smooth, with no visible/bumpy "fold" seams from kneading/mixing/folding/forming your clay. 

If you are going to make a LOT of round beads, and want them very perfectly shaped and sized, consider a nifty rolling gadget like this polymer clay bead roller.

[Luann Udell]

I highly recommend the bead roller Polly mentioned--it will make rounder, more consistent-looking beads than you can roll by yourself.