How to Make Wooden Beads
Today, thousands of wooden beads can be shaped per minute using modern manufacturing equipment. Without access to a modern lathe or other such machinery, however, bead making is a more delicate and time consuming process. Regardless of the purpose for your beads, creating them can be fun and rewarding.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Gather twigs from trees that are just under half an inch thick. Choose trees based on what type of wood you want your beads to be made from. Most bead manufacturers use fir trees.
-
2
Scrape the bark off of your twigs with a pen knife.
-
-
3
Cut each twig into pieces that are slightly larger than the desired size of your beads. Just under half an inch works well.
-
4
Carefully drill out the twig's pulpy center using a small drill bit. Do not use power tools, as this process requires gentle handling. Instead, drill out the twig's center by hand. This may require a good deal of time and patience.
-
5
Allow beads to sit for several days in the open air to completely dry them out.
-
6
Using a file, smooth the edges of your twigs to shape them as you like. Most wooden beads are rounded into balls.
-
7
Apply color. String your beads on a line and dip them into a container of thinned acrylic paint or stain. Clean off excess paint with a washcloth and allow the beads to dry.
-
8
Spray acrylic sealant onto your beads. Allow them to dry completely, then remove them from the line. Your beads are complete.
-
1
