How to Make Paper Beads

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(15 Ratings)

If you have an interest in affordable and fun projects, this one is right up your alley. Paper beads are very inexpensive and make a unique end product. Paper beads can become beautiful jewelry with a little originality and imagination. Get creative with the endless options in paper bead making.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Light weight paper
Clear nail polish or permanent enamel
Thin dowel or toothpick
Tupperware container
Newspaper
Paint or stamping ink--optional

Rolling Beads

Step 1

Line your craft table with newspapers.
Step 2

Fill tupperware with glue.
Step 3

Cut your paper into stripes. These can be rectangular or triangular strips and can be a variety of widths.
Step 4

Dip paper strips in tupperware with glue.
Step 5

Tightly wrap paper strip around a thin dowel or toothpick.
Step 6

Coat bead with clear nail polish or permanent enamel once the bead is fully wrapped.
Step 7

Set aside to dry.

Paper

Step 1

Use different papers to give you a whole new look and feel. Each bead can be unique and original with each kind of paper.
Step 2

Try magazine pages. Use text pages or colorful picture pages.
Step 3

Create your own color or pattern. Use markers or ink to create a masterpiece of patterns, colors and textures.
Step 4

Spice it up with origami paper or tissue paper. More unique paper will give your beads a new texture and innovation.
Step 5

Experiment with other unique creative paper ideas. The paper options are endless. Try finding your own original ideas to make paper bead making imaginative.

Decoration

Step 1

Decorating your beads for that finishing touch. You can leave your bead as is, or you can jazz it up with artistic style.
Step 2

Paint with a small paintbrush. Try metallic paint to give your beads that extra shimmer.
Step 3

Antique your beads with UTEE, which is thick embossing powder and then heat for an aged finish.
Step 4

Experiment with different finishes to create beads that look like metal, gems or pearls.

Comments

a1periwinkle said

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on 9/13/2009 ok, paperbead girl, I took a look at your invention. It looks to be an idea for consistant centers. One can easily achieve this by using a short piece of dowel rod, the end of a small paint brush, etc. The thing that gripes me the most is the small end that keeps escaping. Since you glue it in place I can't think of anything that will aid this problem. Just keep gluing after it escapes, it will eventually stay in place.

paperbeadgirl said

on 2/4/2009 I am passionate about paper beads, so much so I invented a paper bead roller. Just got patent pending and I want to share it with you and the writer of this great article.
ttp://hstrial-vdehne.homestead.com/ HOW TO VIDEO!!!!