When I was a youngster there were no computer games. Instead, my friends and I entertained ourselves with simple toys such as jump ropes and jacks. And we often made our own toys entertaining ourselves both in the making and the subsequent playing. Some of these activities were passed down to me from my mom and grandmother, and I have passed them along to my kids. A simple craft which my daughter has enjoyed is making paper beads. These beads are quite simple to make and require only a few materials found in most homes. Here is what you will need:

Colorful paper: This can be wrapping paper remnants, but I prefer using colorful magazine and catalog pages. When choosing your paper concentrate on the colors that are on it. Words and design are really not a factor.

Materials:
A ruler.
Scissors or an exacto knife.
Toothpicks.
A pen, pencil, or marker.
Glue.
Varnish or shelac (optional).
Dental floss or elastic string.

Instructions:
Start by making a mark at each 3/4 inch interval along the bottom edge of your paper. Next measure and draw a line across the width of your paper 6 inches from the bottom edge. Cut along this line. Now place a mark at each 1/2 inch interval along the top, the edge you have just cut. Using your ruler as a straight edge connect the dots so that they form a series of triangles. Now, cut the triangles apart.

Take one cut triangle and hold its 3/4 inch edge along a toothpick. Begin to roll the triangle (colored side out) onto the toothpick to form the bead. When the entire triangle is rolled onto the toothpick place a very small amount of glue on the point of the paper triangle to hold it in place.

At this time you may add varnish or shelac to the bead for durability and extra shine, or use it as is.

When the beads are dry they can be easily slipped off the toothpicks and strung on dental floss or elastic string to make necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. For a few pennies you can buy jewelry findings and even make earings. Other beads, buttons, or various other materials you can find around the home can be used to enhance your jewelry. Be creative, there are no ‘rules’. The shape and size of the paper beads can be changed by changing the size and shape of the strips of paper you cut.

This is a fun project for both children and adults. It is also a great activity for children’s parties. Supply each child with the necessary materials and instructions and they will have hours of fun making their own party favors. Depending on the age of the children you may want to precut the bead strips (for younger children) or let older children start from the very beginning by even selecting their own paper to work with from catalogs or magazines. My daughter has even made ‘paper bead kits’ and given them to her friends as gifts.

Making paper beads is a great way to spend a rainy afternoon, a fun ’sick day’ project or party actvity.

Written by Barbara B. Wood

Watch The Video

How-To Paper Bead Jewelry, Newspaper Recycling, Threadbanger

How to Make a Paper Bead