Using the CK BeadMakers :

Use a 50/50 mixture (50% of each) of Sugarpaste (Rolled Fondant) and Flowerpaste (Gumpaste), though you may need to adjust the proportions depending upon the pastes being used. Experiment to find what works best for you. The mould should be clean and dry and dusted with cornflour (cornstarch), though if you use lustre colour, the beads will look like pearls when they come out of the mould! (NB. You may find that paste tends to stick in a new silicone mould, so you should use it a few times to "get it working")

STEP 1 : Roll the paste into a long sausage which is the same thickness as the depth of the mould you are using (the 3mm mould, for example, is not as deep as the 6mm mould, and therefore requires less paste)

STEP 2 : Turn the mould face down and open to about 90 (NB. Do not open the mould fully back as this will crack the spine with repeated use) and place over the paste. Close the mould over the paste so that it fills completely.

STEP 3 : Once the mould is flat, squeeze the sides and press from the top to make sure that the beads form correctly.

STEP 4 : Turn over and trim away any excess paste with a fine palette knife. If you wish, you can trim down into the groove to remove more paste and make a finer finish, but remember that some paste is needed at the back to hold the beads together.

STEP 5 : Slightly open the mould and with your palette knife make sure that the paste is released on both sides.

STEP 6 : Turn over and the string of beads (or pearls if you used lustre colour) will drop out of the mould.

STEP 7 : Arrange the beads into swags, plaque edges, around the cake base etc. as required.