Paper Bead Jewelry

Craft lovely jewelry from beads you hand make using paper or fabric!

Approximate Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour

Supplies:

• paper
• glue
• scissors or rotary cutter
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• ruler
• bead roller tool or toothpick
• cording/thread or elastic to string beads
• clearcoat

Instructions:

1. Select the paper you want to use for your beads. Almost any paper will work; newspaper, magazines, road maps, sales flyers, brochures, scrapbook paper etc. (Strips of fabric may be used in place of the paper if preferred.)
    

2. Using scissors or your rotary cutter/mat cut paper strips into long triangle shapes. Vary the width and length of the strips to see what size strip produces the size and shape beads that you like (or simply make a variety of sizes and shapes).
    
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3. Once the paper strip has been cut, place a bit of glue down the length on the WRONG side (the side you do not want to see on the outside of your bead) of the strip being sure to leave the wider end of the paper strip glue free for the first inch or so.

4. Then begin rolling the paper strip (from the wide end to the narrow). I use a bead roller tool purchased online. The tool makes rolling the bead very easy and a bit faster. A toothpick or plastic coffee stirrer can also be used.
    

5. Roll the paper strip up being careful to adjust the paper as you roll to get the shape bead you prefer.

6. Once the bead has been rolled, gently remove the paper bead from the bead roller tool or toothpick. Just slide it right off.
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7. The bead can then be coated with varnish, clear nail polish, mod-podge or even a glue/water mixture to provide a shiny, protective coating.

8. After applying the clearcoat, I usually insert a toothpick into one end of the bead and stick the toothpick/bead into a styrofoam block while the bead drys.

9. Allow the beads to dry fully before stringing onto heavy thread, elastic or wire to make a variety of necklaces, bracelets and earrings!

These beads are so pretty it is hard to believe they are recycled from free paper sources.

Try it. Soon you will have jewelry to match every outfit. The beaded jewelry makes great Christmas gifts as well.

By Pam from McMinnville, TN