Beadmaking can be an expensive hobby, depending on the type of beads and the cost of materials, but its a craft that provides tremendous gratification, and its a marketable product that is highly sought after by jewelry makers and bead collectors, some being sold for as much as $200 and more.... for just one bead!
But one of the most inexpensive methods of making very cool beads that Ive personally have found, are paper beads. Did you know that women in Victorian times used to gather in the parlor to gossip and make paper beads???! Making paper beads is easy and for very little cost or supplies needed....and certainly perfect for anyone on a tight budget (arent we all?). So enough chatter.... here is how to make them!
MATERIALS/SUPPLIES NEEDED:
*Glossy magazines or catalogs with colorful pages, colorful construction paper, wallpaper, gift wrapping paper, old school homework pages, handmade paper, even junk mail .... the sources are endless!
*White craft glue or paste (a little bit goes a long way with this craft. Just make sure you get the kind of glue that dries clear.)
*Acrylic Sealer (this is a thick, clear substance found in most crafting shops, which will be used to seal the bead and make it somewhat hard, and shiny), or clear nail polish.
*A craft paint brush (to use for the acrylic sealer)
*Plastic straws (toothpicks, coffee-stirs, whatever you use will determine the diameter of the hole in the bead)
*1 yard (or less) of string or yarn
With supplies in hand, now you can get started making some very interesting and gorgeous beads!
First start out by sorting the pages from you magazines, catalogs, etc, into piles of similar colors. Now you can begin making paper strips. You want your strips to be as long as possible so start cutting strips down the length rather than the width of the pages. The width of the strip you cut, will determine the width of the bead you will get. Play with cutting shaped-strips. Rectangular shapes make cylindrical beads, triangular shapes make rounded beads, and long even strips make spool-shaped beads.
Once you have your strips, now you can begin making your beads! Take a strip of paper at the widest end and with the most colorful side facing away from you (downward), and put a dab of glue along the edge of your strip and begin roll it around (wrapping tightly but not too tightly or you wont be able to slide it off) the straw. Continue wrapping, keeping the tension as you wrap. When you reach the end, you want to place another small dab of glue on the underside of the end of your strip and press it down onto your bead so that it doesnt un-ravel. Take another strip and repeat the process. You can get quite a few beads on one straw.... just make sure you leave space between each bead.
Now here is where you can get really creative! Now that your beads are rolled and secure.... you can now decorate them with glitter, rhinestones or other pretty shiny stuff, even a hand-written message would be nice. Once your bead is just how you want it, its now time to seal them and give them their final "shine" by brushing on acrylic sealant. Tie one end of your yarn or string to chair and then string the straws with beads on them, onto the yarn. Secure the other end of your yarn/string so your straw/beads dont slide towards either end. Apply your sealer in thin layers, making sure each layer is completely dry before applying the next layer. You also want to make sure your sealant isnt too thick. It it is.... you can thin it out by putting a drop or two of water into the bottle and stirring it in (or shake well) before using it. Most beads only need 1-3 applications of sealant. Once dry, cut the straw at both ends of the bead to release. The straw will be hidden by the paper.
That's it! You now have gorgeous, gorgeous beads! :)
If you decide to try making some of these... I hope that you will share them by posting photos of them in the gallery for all to see!
Blessings of beaded bliss ~
Nikki
For a bit of inspiration.... here are some paper beads that I made after this post:
