How to Install Round Paper Beads

Think of paper beads as "eco-beads." You can make beautiful beads from cut strips of old magazines, newspapers and even recycled paper. You can make or buy round paper beads, as well as different shapes, including oval and square. Stringing paper beads is no different than stringing any other beads. Besides stringing them on wire, thin chains, hemp, thin leather or silk thread, a very popular means of stringing paper beads is to string them on elastic thread. It's an easy and quick way to create one size fits all necklaces and bracelets.

Things You'll Need

• Round paper beads
• Scissors
• 5mm elastic beading thread
• Bead stopper
• Glass, metal or ceramic bead
• Clear nail polish

Instructions

1. Cut a 10-inch length of 5mm elastic beading thread to make a bracelet. Put a bead stopper at one end of the thread. A bead stopper is a small metal coil in which a thread end lodges. This keeps the beads from coming off the elastic while threading on all the beads.

2. Insert the free end of the elastic thread through the hole in a round paper bead. Repeat until you have threaded all the beads on to the elastic. For the final bead, add a glass bead with a slightly larger hole in it than the paper beads.

3. Remove the bead stopper and tie the two ends of the elastic together, pulling the beads at either end of the length of elastic close in together. Make a square knot by first passing the right end over the left and tying it. Pass the left end over the right and tie it a second time

4. Dab clear nail polish in the center of the square knot. Set the bracelet aside for 10 minutes to let the nail polish dry. This will keep the knot from unraveling.

5. Cut off both tail ends of the elastic thread 1/8-inch from the square knot with scissors. Pull the knot inside the glass bead to totally conceal it from view.

Tips & Warnings

• Search for a paper bead with a hole large enough to be able to pull the knot into if you don't want to add the one non-paper bead to hide the knot inside.

• Consider interspersing different kinds of beads with the paper beads to add visual interest.

• Paper beads aren't as durable as glass, metal or ceramic beads. Keep them away from excessive water.

References

• Paper Beads: Paper Bead Stretch Bracelets