Collection: Clay Beads

Clay Beads — Heishi, Flat Round & Polymer Clay Beads

Browse over 280 polymer clay beads in heishi discs, flat rounds, flowers, cubes, and more. Clay beads are one of the hottest bead types in the crafting world right now — their lightweight feel, bright colors, and stackable disc shape make them a favorite for friendship bracelets, keychains, layered necklaces, and surfer-style jewelry. If you sell bracelets or beaded accessories, clay beads should be a staple in your inventory.

Heishi Clay Beads

Heishi beads are thin, flat disc-shaped polymer clay beads — usually 6mm in diameter and about 1mm thick. They stack tightly on a cord to create a smooth, continuous look with vivid color blocking. Heishi beads are sold on strands (typically 300-400 beads per strand) and come in every color you can imagine. They're the standard bead for friendship bracelets, surfer bracelets, and the trendy "clay bead bracelet" style that's all over social media. Mix solid-color strands to create custom color palettes, or grab pre-mixed rainbow strands for quick projects.

Flat Round and Shaped Clay Beads

Beyond heishi discs, we carry polymer clay beads in flat round (8-12mm), flower, cube, heart, and star shapes. Flat round beads are thicker than heishi and work well as accent beads between other materials. Flower-shaped clay beads add a handmade, organic feel to bracelet and earring designs. These shaped clay beads pair well with glass beads or metal spacers for mixed-material jewelry.

Styles and Finishes

Our clay bead collection includes several style variations. Solid color beads are the most popular — vibrant, consistent, and available in 50+ colors per size. Rhinestone clay beads have crystals embedded in the clay surface for a sparkle effect, similar to shamballa-style beads. Millefiori clay beads feature colorful mosaic patterns pressed into the clay, creating floral and geometric designs on each bead. Handmade-look clay beads have slight surface variations that give each piece a unique artisan character.

Popular Projects with Clay Beads

Friendship bracelets: Stack heishi beads on elastic cord with letter beads spelling a name or word — this is the single most popular use for clay beads right now. Use 6mm heishi for a delicate look or 8mm flat rounds for a chunkier style.

Layered bracelet stacks: Make 3-5 clay bead bracelets in coordinating colors and wear them stacked together. Add one bracelet with silicone beads or acrylic beads in the mix for texture contrast.

Earrings: Flat round clay beads in 10-12mm work as lightweight disc earrings. Stack a few heishi discs on a headpin for a colorful column earring.

Keychain and pen accents: Clay heishi beads can be threaded onto keychain cords or beadable pen rods as colorful spacer sections between larger silicone focal beads.

Clay Beads vs Other Bead Materials

Clay beads are lighter than glass and cheaper than most bead types. They have a smooth matte finish similar to silicone but are rigid rather than flexible. The main advantage of clay is the heishi disc shape — no other material offers the same thin, stackable profile that creates that signature "clay bracelet" look. For sparkle, pair clay beads with rhinestone spacers. For structure, add a few metal spacers between sections.

Stocking Clay Beads for Your Business

Clay bead bracelets are one of the easiest products to make and sell — material cost per bracelet is under $1, and finished pieces sell for $3-8. Stock heishi strands in your top 10-15 colors, grab a few mixed-color strands for variety, and keep letter beads on hand for personalization. All the elastic cord, clasps, and tools you need are in our supplies collection.

Clay Beads — Frequently Asked Questions

What are clay beads made of?

Our clay beads are made from polymer clay — a synthetic modeling material that is shaped and then baked to harden. Polymer clay beads are lightweight, durable, and hold vibrant colors well. They do not absorb water and are safe for jewelry and accessory making.

What are heishi beads?

Heishi beads are thin, flat disc-shaped beads — the word "heishi" comes from the Santo Domingo Pueblo word for "shell," as the original heishi beads were made from shell. Modern heishi beads are made from polymer clay and are typically 6mm in diameter and about 1mm thick. They stack on a cord to create a smooth, colorful bracelet.

What size cord do I need for clay beads?

For stretch bracelets, use 0.8mm elastic cord — it fits through standard heishi bead holes and gives a comfortable stretch. For necklaces or fixed-length designs, 0.5-1mm nylon beading cord works well. Heishi beads typically have 2mm holes, so most standard cords will fit.

Can I mix clay beads with silicone beads?

Yes. Clay heishi beads work well as colorful spacer sections between silicone round beads on keychains and bracelets. The contrast between the thin flat clay discs and the chunky silicone rounds creates an interesting layered texture. Just make sure you're using a cord that fits both bead types.

Do clay beads break easily?

Polymer clay beads are durable for normal jewelry wear, but they can crack or chip if dropped on a hard surface or crushed under heavy pressure. They are more fragile than silicone or acrylic beads but hold up fine for bracelets, earrings, and keychains under regular use.

How many heishi beads do I need for one bracelet?

A standard adult bracelet (7 inches / 18cm) uses approximately 75-85 heishi beads in 6mm size. One strand of heishi beads (typically 380-400 beads) makes about 4-5 bracelets. This makes clay bead bracelets one of the most cost-effective products to make and sell.