How to Make Paper Beads

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.

Skill level:
Easy

Instructions

Things you need

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

Rolling Beads

1
Line your craft table with newspapers.
2
Fill tupperware with glue.

3
Cut your paper into stripes. These can be rectangular or triangular strips and can be a variety of widths.
4
Dip paper strips in tupperware with glue.
5
Tightly wrap paper strip around a thin dowel or toothpick.
6
Coat bead with clear nail polish or permanent enamel once the bead is fully wrapped.
7
Set aside to dry.

Paper

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.
2
Try magazine pages. Use text pages or colorful picture pages.

3
Create your own color or pattern. Use markers or ink to create a masterpiece of patterns, colors and textures.
4
Spice it up with origami paper or tissue paper. More unique paper will give your beads a new texture and innovation.
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

1
Decorating your beads for that finishing touch. You can leave your bead as is, or you can jazz it up with artistic style.
2
Paint with a small paintbrush. Try metallic paint to give your beads that extra shimmer.

3
Antique your beads with UTEE, which is thick embossing powder and then heat for an aged finish.
4
Experiment with different finishes to create beads that look like metal, gems or pearls.

Tips and warnings

For less mess, experiment with a glue stick or hot glue.
Allow beads to dry approximately 24 hours.