Once the polymer clay penguin shape has 'baked' and cooled enough to handle comfortably, use a polymer clay blade to slice the top of your penguin off the bead base. It helps to use a pencil to mark the rough cutting line on the polymer clay, you can use a rubber band or a piece of string wrapped around the shape to get a line around the circumference, just above the widest point of your bead. Cut around the shape in one motion so that you have a straight cut line. Even if you go off square (as I did) you are better to have a single smooth cut.
It is easier to remove the bead while the clay is still slightly rubbery after baking. If you leave the project until the clay has fully cooled and cured, your bead may be harder to remove from the center of your cookie jar.
Once your bead center is exposed, use a piece of wire, a crochet hook, paper embossing tool or something similar inserted in the bead hole, to pull the bead free of the cookie jar base. You may need to wiggle the bead around a bit before you can pull it free. If the bead is completely trapped, make a slit in the back of your cookie jar to widen the opening and pull the bead free. When you bake the lip on the edge of the jar lid, you can also 'mend' the back of the jar by filling it with polymer clay.
