Turn a common, inexpensive toy into a glittery jewelry element when you make fried marbles. Impressive to see but simple to make, these beads are perfect for a simple cord or chain, or you can string them together for a more elaborate design.

Frying the Marbles

Despite their greasy name, the marbles are baked in the oven, not actually fried.

Things You'll Need Clear marbles

Baking sheet

Safety goggles

Oven mitts or heavy potholders

Metal bowl

Ice

Step 1 Preheat the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Step 2 Spread the marbles on the baking sheet. You can also use a pie tin, cake pan or any other oven-safe pan -- as long as it has sides. Step 3 Place the sheet in the oven and bake the marbles for 20 minutes. Step 4 Fill the bowl with ice and water, leaving enough space for the marbles. Step 5 Don your safety goggles and oven mitts. Warning Do not attempt this project without safety goggles; the glass can explode.

Also, the marbles will be very hot, so be sure that you use heavy mitts or potholders to avoid serious burns. Step 6 Pour the marbles into the ice-water, standing back in case of exploding glass. Step 7 Leave the marbles in the icy water until they are completely cooled, at least 10 minutes, before removing them and drying them off.

Assembling the Jewelry

If you want to include more than one marble for each piece of jewelry, repeat the steps to make them into beads and then join them with jump rings or spacer beads.

Things You'll Need Bead cap (2 for each bead, if you are stringing them together)

Head pin

Chain-nosed pliers

Side cutters

Jeweler’s glue

Jump ring

Cord, ribbon or chain