Paper Bead Making

You’ll Need:

• Junk mail, such as catalogs, or magazines- glossy, colorful pages work best • Glue stick • White glue • Toothpick or other small cylinder, such as an ink pen refill • String or wire for creating your beaded jewelry

Instructions:

1. Find some colorful, glossy pages in old magazines, catalogs, or junk mail.

2. Cut one 4-inch by 1-inch triangle out of the paper for each bead you plan to make. Rectangles will work to create a different shape.

3. Apply glue from the glue stick to the narrow end of the triangle.

4. Use your toothpick or small cylinder to roll the triangle from the wide end up to the glued end.

5. Make sure the narrow end is secured well to the bead so it does not come unraveled and then slide it off of your cylinder.

6. “Seal” your bead using one part white glue to three parts water. Painting this solution over your bead will protect it from the elements and keep it from unraveling.

7. Let the beads dry and then string your beads to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry, or combine the paper beads with other beads for more variety. Make necklaces, eye-glass holders, earrings, bracelets, bookmarks, etc. - The sky is the limit!