Paper Beads

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Reported by Melissa Norris

Now I will admit that my daughter is only a year and a half so I haven't yet faced the "how to keep them busy during the summer" dilema. But to help all of the rest of you out I am going to give you instructions for a craft that I did with my mom during the summer, and all the supplies you need are already in your home! This is perfect for a rainy day when the kids can't head outside and you don't have the items you may need for another project on hand. So lets make some paper beads!!

Supplies you will need:

• Paper: magazine pages, wrapping paper, thin designer paper (not cardstock), basically any thin, pretty paper


• Adhesive: Mod Podge, regular school glue, clear nail polish, whatever you can find around the house


• Some type of stick: toothpicks, skewers, embroidery needles, etc.


• String: dental floss, elastic cord, fishing line, etc.


• Paper trimmer, rotary cutter, or scissors


• Wax or Parchment paper


• Paint brush

Start by cutting your paper (I used magazine ads) into strips. The base needs to be about an inch wide and tapering off to a point at the top to make a long triangle. Once you practice the basic bead concept you can then change the widths and shapes of your strips to make different style beads.

Once you have all of your paper cut grab your stick (I used bamboo skewers) and start rolling the large base onto the stick. Younger children may need help here getting it started.

Then roll it up until there is an inch or two left on the pointed end. Then, while holding the rolled bead tight, lay the end down on your wax paper and put some glue on the end of the paper strip.

Then roll it the rest of the way up. Once it is all rolled up coat the bead completely with your adhesive to finish it. Slide the bead off and place on a sheet of wax paper to dry.

Repeat this process over and over until you have your desired number of beads. Once the beads are dry you can add extra layers of Mod Podge to make it stronger. Or you can also choose to paint your beads, coat them in glitter, trim them shorter, whatever makes you happy. I have also seen people dip them in a Melt Pot full of Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel. These beads are fun and easy and once you learn the basic technique there are so many different things you can do with them.

Thread your finished beads onto your string to make necklaces or bracelets. They're especially cute when you do 2 or 3 strands of them.

This is my best friend's daughter Kaia modeling the necklace we made together.

Making Paper Beads is a great project for a few kids or many kids. Definitely great for Girl Scout troops, slumber parties, or a Moms and Daughters group. So get together with your friends and kids this summer and make yourself some jewlery!