Skull beads made from bone are used to create necklaces, bracelets and other adornments. They are attached through a small hole drilled from the top of the skull through the neck area. Carving skull beads from bone is a tedious and time-consuming venture. The tiny carving is performed with small carving tools and needle files. A steady hand is required for the precision cutting. A small hand-held drill is used to drill holes through the center of the bead.
- Skill level:
- Challenging
Instructions
Things you need
- Ham or roast bone
- Pan
- Water
- Stove
- Safety glasses
- Bandsaw
- Sandpaper
- Small clip clamp
- Dremel or small hand drill
- 1/16-inch drill bit
- Pencil
- Small carving tools
- Needle files
- Indigo ink
- Soft rag
- Optional: Mixture of strong tea
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1
Place the ham or roast bone in a pan of water. Boil for 15 minutes. Strain the water from the bone. Remove the bone from the pan and strip all meat from the bone. Repeat the process until all meat is removed from the bone. Allow the bone to sit for 24 hours before continuing.
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2
Put on safety glasses. Cut the bone into strips approximately 1/2-inch wide. Use the bandsaw and cut the bone in half then into quarters. Continue cutting the sections in half until the strips are approximately 1/2-inch wide.
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3
Cut the 1/2-inch wide strips every 1/2-inch to form squares. Caution: Cut the small sections with care to avoid cutting your finger.
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4
Sand and file the square edges of the 1/2-inch piece of bone to form the shape of a skull. Round the edges to create an elongated oval. The exact shape is determined by the shape of the bone and the desire of the individual carving the bead.
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5
Do a final sanding over the bead once it is the desired shape. The last sanding will remove any gouge or scratch marks.
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6
Clamp a bead in a small clip clamp so the top of the skull is pointing straight up. Drill a hole through the center of the bead. Remove the bead from the clamp and repeat with the remainder of the beads.
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7
Divide the front of the bead in half vertically and horizontally with a light pencil line.
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8
Carve an indentation for the eyes on both sides of the connecting center line. Carve the nose between the eyes on the vertical line. Carve the mouth and teeth under the nose. Shape the chin area with a small needle file. Repeat the process with the remainder of the bone beads.
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9
Lightly sand the carving surface to remove the pencil line. Wipe the bead with a soft cloth to remove all debris. Wipe a coating of black into ink over the surface of the bead. Allow the bead to sit for five minutes. Wipe the surface of the bead leaving the black ink in the carved areas. Repeat the process with the remainder of the beads.
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10
Optional: Stain the beads a brown color by soaking them in a strong solution of tea for 12 to 14 hours.
Tips and warnings
- A coat of spray acrylic sealer will make the beads shine.
