Component of the Month - The Making of "Pie" Beads

Remember these?

Tomorrow is the Component of the Month Reveal of designs using my "Pie" beads ... meanwhile, I thought you might like a little peak into how I made these little hollow beads...

First I roll out a thin slab of porcelain. Then after cutting out
ruffle-edged disc shapes, I form each into a dome shape using a copper form.
Each of these domed discs will be one half (side) of a Pie bead.

I tap down and flatten the edges to form a rim for joining the halves later.

Once they have dried a little bit on the dome form, I use my own 

handmade porcelain stamps to create the pattern on each side.

Then, when the porcelain has reached "leather hard" state,
I remove the halves from the copper form.

I use scraps of porcelain to create a creamy white slip (watery mud). 

Looks kinda yummy but I'm certain it isn't edible!

I carefully roughen (scratch) the surface areas 

of the rims to prepare them for joining. 

Then I paint on some slip and stick the two halves together. 

I use an old knitting needle to help smooth the joints and restore the indented areas.  

I use the same tool to create a hole straight through the center,

one side to the other (like a lentil bead).

I then use a rubber-tipped "brush" to smooth the holes.

Next step, is a ball-end embossing tool to create the dimples (my favorite part!).

Voila! Pie Beads!