When I was 10 years old, I received a very unique Christmas gift from my cousins in Alaska. The gift was a beautiful bead necklace made from old newspapers. This very special gift is still in my jewelry box today. I have worn it on many occasions and received numerous compliments. As an art teacher, I decided to break the process down and teach my students how to make one type of newspaper beads. Enjoy learning the process to make your own paper jewelry at home.
Things You’ll Need:
Newspaper, comic page or old magazines
Ruler
Pencil
Scissors
White glue
Round toothpicks
Mod Podge
Flat artist paintbrush
Styrofoam plate
Instructions:
Step 1 – Measure and draw a triangle that is ½-inch wide at the bottom and 2-inches tall on the edge of a piece of newspaper. Cut out the triangle and use it as a template.
Step 2 – Trace around the triangle template to create a minimum of 20 triangles. Cut the triangles from the paper.
Step 3 – Place a cut triangle on a flat work surface. Position the triangle so the ½-inch edge is on the bottom. Place a round toothpick across the bottom of the triangle.
Step 4 – Roll the bottom edge of the paper triangle around the toothpick. Continue to roll the toothpick up the length of the paper triangle. A tapered bead is created.
Step 5 – With a toothpick, place a drop of glue under the tip of the triangle. Gently push the end of the paper into the glue. Place the paper bead in a safe location to dry for 15 minutes. Use a separate toothpick for each bead. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 until the desired number of paper beads is created.
Step 6 – Brush a coating of Mod Podge over the surface of the paper bead. Stick the toothpick into the surface of a Styrofoam plate. Allow the Mod Podge to dry for 30 mintues.
Step 7- String the beads on bead string.
Tips:
Paint the paper beads with acrylic paint prior to finishing the surface with Mod Podge. Roll the newly created paper bead in glitter immediately after applying Mod Podge to the surface. The Mod Podge will dry clear with a sparkle finish.