Making paper beads is a fun project to take up with your kids, as they will enjoy making jewelry with beads that they made themselves. Different types of paper with a variety of textures can be used. There are thousands of bead patterns that you can choose from. You will get the best results from thin paper, as it curls better.
Wrapping Paper Beads
Material Required:
- Gift wrapping paper
- Paper cutter
- Glue
- Toothpicks
- Glitter powder
Method:
With a paper cutter, cut the wrapping paper into strips of about 1 inch in width and 8 to 10 inches in length. If you do not have any wrapping paper, you can also use glossy pages out of an old magazine; just make sure that the paper is not too thick or you will have trouble making the beads. Now, apply glue on the plain side of the paper strips. Start coiling the strip of paper on the toothpick from one end and keep rolling until you have rolled it to the other end. When you reach the end of the strip, apply some more glue to seal the end. To give a consistent shape to the bead, roll it between your fingers and the table top. Allow the beads to dry for some hours; when they are completely dry, carefully slide the toothpick out without disturbing the shape. Now, use a paint brush to apply a bit of glue that has been thinned down with water. When the bead is almost dry, roll it in some glitter powder. Make more beads in the same way and string them together to make a bracelet or a necklace.
Newspaper Beads
Material Required:
- Sheets of old newspaper
- Water
- Strong glue
- Sandpaper
- Acrylic paint
- Varnish
- Ribbon
Method:
First, rip the old newspaper into small pieces until you have a large pile. Place the pieces in a large pot and pour in boiling water so that the newspaper is completely covered. Allow it to sit for an hour and stir after every 15 minutes. After an hour, drain the water from the pot and add around half a cup of glue. The mixture should resemble the texture of mashed potatoes. Now, roll this mixture in your hands to make small beads and let them dry in sunlight for 2 to 3 days. When the beads are completely dry, sand them down with sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges. Drill a hole in the middle and paint them with acrylic colors. After the paint has dried, apply a coat of varnish so that the paint does not fade away. String a colorful ribbon through the beads to make a unique necklace.
