Since I am always on the lookout for new ways to use the plethora of gorgeous scrapbook papers on the market, I started researching paper beads. A number of books on paper crafting and lots of websites gave me a million and one ideas on how to get started. I don’t know about you, but I get very frustrated with instructions that tell me something is very easy, but neglect to mention that it’s something that takes practice. With that in mind, know that making paper beads is incredibly simple, but takes a bit of patience as well as a bit of practice. I’d say I got the hang of it after about a dozen beads.
The projects in this article are all fairly simple to do and require very little knowledge of jewelry making. Only about 20 minutes at my local bead store and a few questions to the store clerk had me well on my way to making some fun jewelry for myself and for gifts. I’m quite pleased with the results and I’d like to share with you what I learned.
My first attempts, which are not shown here, were quite frustrating until I got the hang of things. Fortitude is the key!
Chopsticks and cotton swabs with plastic sticks were my choice for rolling the beads. Trim off the end of the swab to release the beads when you’re done. I found that the little plastic trays from frozen mini quiches were the perfect size to set down the swab so the bead wouldn’t touch the work surface and could dry properly. Also, try a narrow box lid and notch the sides to keep the swab from rolling. I set the chopstick beads to dry across the top of an old coffee mug.
The width of the paper strip determines the bead length, while the length of the paper strip determines the circumference of the bead. The size of your rolling stick determines the hole size: a chopstick makes beads that can string on a leather cord. Four to five beads can be constructed on a chopstick, or one on a cotton swab stick. Go slowly to ensure that your bead is nice and even.
When you’ve had practice making simple beads, you can try to embellish them. Use glitter or rhinestones, or wrap the beads with coordinating fibers. When your paper beads are ready for stringing, combine them with glass or metal beads to give your final piece texture and weight.
Of course, jewelry isn’t the only destination for your new beads—don’t forget to try them as embellishments with your other paper crafts . . . bookmarks, cards, altered books, you name it!
