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Paper Beads

A few weeks ago I saw a girl at work making something interesting during her down time.  When I asked her what she was doing she said, “I’m making paper beads.  You’ve never heard of paper beads?!?”  Nope, I had never heard about them nor had I seen them until that day.

She showed me how to make them and told me my girls should be able to do them too.  So…we tried it!

To do it yourself, you’ll need:
  • Magazine pages (or similar paper)
  • Something to cut strips with (scissors work fine but they take a long time)
  • Glue (preferably glue sticks)
  • Pencil for little kids or a q-tip for older kids
  • String
Step 1)  Cut the magazine pages into long triangular strips.  The fat end should be no wider than 1/4 to 1/2 inch then tapering to a point.  For smaller, fatter beads, make the fat end even smaller.

Step 2)  Spread glue over one side of a paper strip.  Which ever side you spread the glue on will be the side that shows on the bead.

Step 3)  Wind the paper strip around the pencil (glue side out) keeping it as centered as possible on itself.

For smaller beads you can use a q-tip with one of the heads cut off.  The smaller beads ended up to be bit hard for my girls to make but Nutty preferred stringing the smaller beads on smaller string.  The larger beads made with the pencil were perfect for Tottie to string on a larger, thicker string.

Step 4)  Gently pull the bead off of the pencil or the q-tip and allow to dry.

Step 5)  You can stop at step 4 or you can coat the beads in clear nail polish or modge podge to make them stronger and last longer.

Step 6)  String and enjoy!

Do you kids like stringing beads?  Have you ever made your own?

Comments

  1. I know who you saw making those beads! LOL Don’t forget a little mod podge will keep the beads from shredding all over your clothes over time.

  2. Our beads didn’t turn out nearly as nice as hers but mine were made by a 3 & 5 year old 🙂
    In step 5 I mention clear nail polish or modge podge for making your beads last longer. My girls were too excited to wear them to wait to put something else on them!

  3. I totally made these for a sixth grade “how to” speech.

  4. I’ve heard of paper beads but never actually tried them… Looks like lots of fun with the kiddos! Thanks for your visit over on Truly Lovely today by the way! 🙂

  5. Cute blog! I tried to comment on your post about your cleaning days and it wouldn’t let me!

    Thanks for stopping by on my SITS day!

  6. A few years ago when my daughter attended a small school, some moms made bracelets out of these beads, and they sold like hotcakes at a trivia night. They are so pretty. I am a new Linky follower. Hope you’ll come by and say hi!

  7. These look like fun! Might have to attempt it… if only my kidlets were a bit older.