Friday 12 December 2008

My Paper Beads Tutorial

Paper Beads are not only a fun project to make, but they are also great for using up all those scraps of pretty patterned paper. They can be made up in batches and stored away until your ready to use them.

Suggested tools required:

Pencil
Ruler
Scissers or craft knife
Patterned paper {non cardstock weight is best}
Wooden Stick {manicure stick or similar sized dowel}
Pallette or non stick messy mat
Modge Podge or Water/PVA glue mix or {my chosen medium} Deco patch glue & gloss
Cocktail sticks or similar

Step 1:
Draw elongated triangles on the reverse of a 6" x 6" piece of patterned paper, as you can see by the photo, you can get a lot of beads from this size.
Then cut along the drawn lines to make the triangle shapes.
Step 2:Dip the wide end of the triangle into the glue medium and then turn it around the wooden stick, brush the glue along the paper as you turn it, to glue it together.

You will see the shape of the bead appear, when it is completely wrapped and held firm.


Step 3.
You may find it easier to transfer your bead to a finer stick at this stage to coat with the glue medium. You can either dip them completely in the glue mix, or brush them with the glue if you prefer.
Set it aside to dry out completely!
When completely dry you can then, coat them with a gloss medium or even clear nail varnish, to finish if desired.


10 comments:

pinkpuppy said...

They are lovely, thank you for the tutorial! will have a go at them some time.

Macpurp said...

these are fab!
i need to give these a go!
thanks for demo post.
hugs xxx

Sharon P Pope said...

Your beads are beautiful. I made some of these once. It was so much fun! I haven't used them yet, but you make me want to. :)

tiggertastic said...

Jane you are so clever what a very creative way to use paper

Sarah x

Tracy said...

great, thanks for the demo big kiss mwahhhh will have a go at doing this and let you know how it goes
hugs tracy xx

~Emma~ said...

Jane I've had no internet so am trying to catch up with everything you have done...and these are fab!

~Emma~ said...

Jane I've had no internet so am trying to catch up with everything you have done...and these are fab!

Pamela said...

Wow! I can't wait to try this out! Who Knew?!!!
Thanks for the comment on my blog!

Dawn said...

Wowee love them Jane!

~*~Patty S said...

Just now finding your beads tutorial! Wonderful and inspiring Jane! TFS.
Happiest of Holidays to you and yours! oxo