Paper beads
I made these paper beads a while ago and dug them out the other day for my eldest son to play with. At three and a half he’s grown out of playing with his chunky threading beads – so these were the perfect replacement.
They are so easy to make and surprisingly sturdy.
I used some sheets of origami paper to make mine but you can use any kind of paper. For example magazine scraps are particularly good for making beads with a more ethnic feel.
To make them simply cut out some very long isosceles triangles. Mine were 15cm long and 2cm wide. Then get a skewer (or something similar) and wind the paper tightly round it. When you are nearly at the end simply add a dab of glue. I used the remnants of a tube of glitter glue – hence the sparkles. If you want a better explanation then check out this great tutorial at creativejewishmom.com.
You can experiment with paper length/width and make beads of different shapes and sizes.
The beads are perfect for little kids to thread. If you are a bigger kid (like me!) then you can slip them on some safety pins and make some pretty cool pendants/bracelets.
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Jenn #
Nice beads, but oh my goodness, look at those eyelashes! Beautiful!
Kate #
Hi Jenn…I wish I could say he got them from me but alas no!! It always seems that the boys get the best lashes! Haha.
Peaches #
Love these. Have tried before, but loved the rainbow pallet. Nifty!!!
Would also like comment on that honey child’s eyelashes –my goodness what I would give for those lashes!!
sara@creativejewishmom.com #
love your beads! one of my most popular posts was beads like these from magazine pages, but I love yours so much more! and combined with safety pins…oh my gorgeous! thanks so very much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday, great to have you and your very lovely photos and creativity!
mollie #
I love making paper beads like this, but the bold, solid colors are so great…and the safety pins…and the glitter! So wonderful! Thank you for sharing this…
Niffabird #
inspired by your post, I just made some beads for my daughter, and her friend who’s just become a big sister. I loved doing it – but totally admire how neat yours are! Mine def look homespun, but they’re great! I’m going to do some more for Xmas pressies XX
Kate #
Hi Niffabird….reckon the homespun look is a good one! So pleased you tried. I find making them is really therapeutic. Cool idea for xmas pressie anyway. Handmade rules!!
Mollie so nice to see you here……..I love your blog and have been reading it for a good while now!
Suzanne #
LOVE THIS!!! I am going to do this at our dinner and a holiday movie event. This will keep their fingers busy as they watch the grinch and sip hot chocolate. These are great for a Brownie badge too! I’ll pass this link on:)
Kate #
Thanks Suzanne. Look forward to hearing how it goes – hope it’s a hit!
Alicia #
LOVE LOVE LOVE these… I just posted linke to your site and different crafts on FaceBook!! Thank you! Always looking for something crafty to do w/ my kiddo!
Holly #
oh I think these are so pretty!
Kate #
Thanks Alicia and Holly. Thanks for posting me up on facebook Holly. I’m still a bit of a secret blogger so haven’t posted any of my projects on my own facebook page!! One day maybe…haha!
just #
im making them right now. literally!
mirincondemariposas #
Great! I love the colors! We will try!
Kate #
Thanks Dawn. The two sided origami paper works really well…
Sara #
These are so beautiful. I took a glance at the link you provided for further instructions and the writer suggested to seal them with some kind of varnish. Did you put varnish on yours? They also put a smudge of glue on the inside before rolling it, is that what you did as well? Thank you
Shannon #
So glad to have found your blog, Kate! Great ideas and gorgeous photos. My girls will love these paper beads.
Kate #
Thanks Shannon…let me know how it goes
chloe #
hey they work great rolled on drinking straws as well—the space inside the straw is big enough for kids to easily thread through. did it with my first through third graders, and straws are mega cheap!! sick blog, kate!
Kate #
thanks for the tip chloe…will give it a blast x
Ann Cat #
What so beautiful colors !!
Teresa #
I used to make these when I was a kid! Back then we’d use old magazine pages to make them–it was so much fun! Another thing you can use these days is the publicity flyers they are always dropping in the mailboxes, a nice way to recycle them!
xxx
hina #
Hi! i am familiar to these beads since childhood. You have added a new dimension to it which is still wonderful and colourful. We can also use old calenders which i had learnt as a child as A$ or craft paper is pretty expensive. Calendar paper is glossy and quite a heavy paper. Thanxs
Stella #
Thanks for this vibrant tutorial!
elpida #
so beautiful!! I wll post it on my blog if you don’t mind