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How to Make Paper Beads

by Mzuribeads on July 29, 2009 Table of Contents How to Make Paper Beads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intro: How to Make Paper Beads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 1: Selecting your paper and materials to make the bead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 2: Measuring and cutting the paper for the bead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 3: Rolling the Paper Bead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 4: Varnish, leave to dry and finish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 5: Make your own jewelry or buy now! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 6: More Recycled Beads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 3 3 4 4 6 7 9 9

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/

Author:Mzuribeads author's website

Mzuribeads present a collection of Jewelry and Loose Beads all handmade by a group of jewelers who live in Kampala, Uganda. The jewelers are paid a fair wage for all of their products. Mzuribeads is an ethical business exporting Recycled Ugandan Paper Beads and Jewelry to wholesale and retail customers throughout the world. The beads are rolled from individual triangular strips of recycled magazine and poster pages. There is NO PAINT involved. The colour of the bead and jewellery is determined from the actually paper chosen by the artist. The beads are given several coats of varnish, to leave them with a glossy and waterproof finish. For a detailed demonstration on how to roll please visit our website. http://mzuribeads.com Here you can also purchase our beads and jewelry online, or find a stockist or event near you.

Intro: How to Make Paper Beads

Want to know how to make beautiful, light weight, eco friendly, handmade, recycled paper beads! Check out this step by step instructions on how to make a paper bead, and you will enjoy and achieve some stunning results! You can find our VIDEO TUTORIAL on our site. We also have a 3 Page STEP BY STEP in ISSUE 20 (March 2010), in the the BEAD MAGAZINE We are MZURIBEADS; professionally rolling paper beads, and exporting fair trade jewelry from Uganda since 2006. This is a fair trade company, aiming to develop communities around UGANDA . By buying our beads - Not only will you be helping these women earn a much need income, but you will be receiving a very high standard of recycled paper bead. Our beads pass a quality check, judged on being symmetric, clean, and thickly varnished for a waterproof, smooth and glossy finish. We have been rolling are beads for many years, and we are so confident that we are the ultimate masters of this hand crafted skill ......we are more than happy to share our know how (; Please VISIT OUR SITE for more details... http://www.mzuribeads.com/

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/

Step 1: Selecting your paper and materials to make the bead

First collect the following: A colourful page from a used magazine or an old colourful poster. If you want to make beads of a full colour, you must find a full colour page of poster. For example to get ALL blue beads, pick up a page with photo of the ocean! Vogue and House and Home, or some old teenage music posters are my favorite. The thicker the paper the fatter the bead! Scissors Pen Ruler Needle or toothpick Clear varnish - most clear varnishes from local store will do or nail varnish. Fishing wire/plastic wire or some sort of thread similar width as your needle or toothpick

Step 2: Measuring and cutting the paper for the bead

This is the part where put your paper down on a flat surface and equip yourself with a pen and a long ruler. Please refer to the RED triangle in the illustration on the vogue page for these instructions: Use a normal thin ballpoint pen, not a thick marker! Mark a 2cm point long from the a top corner at (C) , and a 1cm point along from the bottom corner at (B) . Take your ruler and draw a line from point A to B and C respectively, and you will have drawn a perfect triangle. Continue this routine, until you end up with a zigzaging block of triangles throughout the page. Cut your triangles neatly out, and discard the uneven one marked blue in the illustration. PLEASE NOTE: Measuring your marks on the paper will determine the shape and size of the bead. Measuring along at 2cm on a page inside a magazine like Vogue will give you an oval, slim type paper bead like this If you would like a similar shape of bead but longer or shorter, simply increase or decrease the length to 1.5cm or up to 3.5 or 4cm. Simply half the length of A to C to determine point B. If you would like a round, fat bead like this you will have to find paper as thick as a poster or front cover of a magazine, and keep the width of the bead to 1.5 - 2cm ONLY. Alternatively you can attempt to double or triple up your paper strips, but this takes time and skill. If you would like to leave some text of image on your bead, simply cut off the end of the triangle at the point you wish you keep. But, all these special effects will come to

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/

you once you get into it, and start experimenting with different types of paper. If you would like to make tube type beads, simply replace the triangles with simple rectangular strips, easy!

Step 3: Rolling the Paper Bead

Take your needle, or toothpick. I recommend needle, as the string or thread you string them on (for varnishing) must be equal in width. Starting at the thickest end of the strip, start rolling it tightly around the needle. Using your nails to catch it in at first, ensuring to keep the paper central. Put a dab of glue at the end and press down on it for a few seconds to hold the bead in place. (liquid paper glue works best).

Step 4: Varnish, leave to dry and finish

Thread all your beads on plastic wire or string. I recommend a thickish plastic, fishing type thread as the beads will slide off easily once dry. Whatever you chose to use, ensure it does not allow for the varnish to seep in and bock the holes. Once fully strung, start varnishing, we use a brush and give them at least 2 coats of varnish. Leave to dry for 2-3 days, and your beads are ready to use!

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/

Step 5: Make your own jewelry or buy now!

Use your beads to make some beautiful lightweight pieces of jewelry, or simply skip all this work and take a pick of loose beads and stunning beaded jewelry designs from online shop!! '''[ http://mzuribeads.bigcartel.com/

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/

Step 6: More Recycled Beads

We know stock RECYCLED GLASS BEADS, BARKCLOTH BEADS, BANANA LEAF BEADS AND COW HORN BEADS. Visit or store for more information http://www.mzuribeads.com

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/

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Upcycled Paper Bead Earrings by TabbyDeAnne

How to Make Polymer Clay Beads by thickneckarts

Beaded Christmas Ornaments by pharmgirl

Make a RECYCLED How to make PAPER BEAD Swarovski Bracelet! by Crystal Rings by AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting roc6

Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 87 comments
Nov 18, 2010. 10:55 PM REPLY

Mzuribeads says:
HELP US SUPPORT MORE CREATIVE PROJECTS FOR LONG TERM CHANGE

Mzuribeads are producing a documentary. The main purpose will be to promote awareness of fair trade and the Arts for sustainable enterprise and long term development. PLEASE SUPPORT ENTER CHRISTMAS HAMPER COMPETITION OR BUY THE SUPPORTERS BRACELET competition closes 16th dec 2010

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/

Mzuribeads says:
oooh we have great colours in this month... check them out...

Aug 3, 2010. 9:41 PM REPLY

Mzuribeads says:
http://www.mzuribeads.com/

Aug 3, 2010. 9:50 PM REPLY

Soon~to~Be says:

Sep 23, 2010. 10:27 AM REPLY These are amazing beads I am so interested in this type of art I make a few myself. Although I admitt im no amatur, I still enjoy the outlook of each one of the beads I make. I just wish I could learn to make mine as rounded as these. I am still using the classic tooth pick/paper clip method but it works just as well right now..... Do you have and tips you could give. Thank you, Soon~to~Be

dmccomb says:

Mar 1, 2011. 11:36 AM REPLY For the really rounded shapes, you have to have a long strip of paper - longer than you can usually find in magazines. What you can do is cut a strip, starting at 1/2 inch and tapering to a blunt end of 1/4 inch. This will leave long triangular strips between them, starting at 1/4 inch. Attach the two 1/4 inch ends, and you have a much longer strip that gives you a rounder bead. Larger papers like posters or sheets of wrapping paper can give you the length you need.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/

ColleenG says:
How did you get the beads soo round??? what size strips did you use? They're beautiful!

Feb 1, 2011. 2:34 PM REPLY

Marker1024 says:
This is nice I've seen these before but never an instructable! Also whoever took those pictures did a great job.

Jan 9, 2011. 7:07 AM REPLY

MaryOfExeter says:

Nov 21, 2009. 7:13 PM REPLY Hi :) Just wanted to say a great tutorial and beautiful beads. But I do have a question. To speed up my little production I have going (cause it's so much fun, I can't stop! :P), I thought stringing them like you do would help a lot cause I can varnish larger batches at once. But my question is, do yours ever get stuck together? I use a spray acrylic, so they don't get totally drenched, but it still seems like the ends would dry together where they touch?

Wicken says:

Nov 26, 2010. 10:59 AM REPLY I have found that the way around this problem is to give your strings a good shake several times while they dry. Also, narrow-ended beads stick less than wide-ended beads. If you are still having trouble, buy some glass beads at the dollar store and alternate them with the paper beads on the string. You can reuse the glass beads for a long time.

zyx456 says:
I do mine on individual toothpicks

Dec 26, 2010. 10:41 AM REPLY

Mzuribeads says:

Aug 3, 2010. 9:26 PM REPLY Hi, Mary To avoid sticking together, find and experiment with different diameters and materials you hang them on.. you can also attempt a different size bead hole. Experimenting with these sizes, and materials will eventually result in perfect beads, not sticking together. I hope this helps, Mzuribeads http://www.mzuribeads.com/ Uganda May 20, 2010. 7:32 PM REPLY I agree, I think varnishing in bulk is more efficient. I'll bet they wouldn't stick together if you were to tie a knot in the string between each bead. I'm going to try that once I've made enough to varnish.

TwilightRose says:

Nienna247 says:

Aug 3, 2010. 6:59 PM REPLY Or you could even try using hole-punch leftovers after punching laminated paper, or even sparkle confetti type discs that have a hole in them already to separate the drying beads. The kind you can buy from party stores or craft stores. If its plastic then it hopefully shouldn't tear when they're finished. I though it may be quicker initially than tying knots constantly.

sewpoke2 says:

Oct 10, 2009. 2:48 PM REPLY I did thousands of beads several years ago and used a thin long cotter pin (like a bobby pin only smaller like a needle)--a lot faster, neater, all around better way to curl the paper. I also glued a wooden bead around the end to make it easier to hold. What I really wanted was someone to come up with a semi-automated way of doing it like with a hand crank or old cassette player or something and a vise?????

dmccomb says:

Dec 16, 2010. 7:32 AM REPLY I've seen children's beading kits that have a little stand with a hand crank for sale at craft stores and toy stores. They're made of plastic and fairly flimsy, but you might be able to figure out how to build one with metal that would be sturdier. I've also seen people using bobbin winders to make beads.

gemtree says:
What about putting a wire into a screw gun and then gluing the paper on, turning on the screw gun? Vrooom!

Nov 10, 2010. 8:56 PM REPLY

MsSunDragon says:

Nov 30, 2010. 6:07 AM REPLY I have found info and a way to print papers plus this web site also shows how to make a bead roller using the cotter pin. It has pictures of one plus you can also get the directions from them .... web site is www.paperbeadcrafts.com .... from there go to the how to button on the dark blue bar at the top and then click on roll beads. Hope this helps those who are interested. Mz. C. J.

alix-cool says:
love this idea, made this bracelet and i just love it thanks for the great idea

Nov 26, 2010. 11:12 AM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/

Wicken says:

Nov 26, 2010. 11:04 AM REPLY I have been using paper beads made from all kinds of paper, including wallpaper and scrapbooking paper, for a long time. One of the best things I have made with these is Christmas garlands. You can make unique, interesting garlands that everyone will appreciate. I buy bead necklaces from thrift stores or recycled glass beads from fair trade shops (I also collect leftovers from other artists' projects) and alternate those with paper beads to make fantastic garlands. One garland that got me a lot of compliments was made from a stack of pizza flyers, of all things. A spritz of glitter sealant makes them durable and bright.

Fallen_Siren says:
What kind of Varnish do you use?

Jul 17, 2010. 1:21 AM REPLY

Wicken says:

Nov 26, 2010. 11:01 AM REPLY I have been using a furniture varnish I got at the hardware store. Right now, I am using a light walnut stain to add an antiqued tint to my beads.

Mzuribeads says:

Aug 3, 2010. 9:29 PM REPLY Hi Fallen Siren, We are based in Uganda and use a range of varnishes. Let us know if you are in Uganda, and we may be able to help you source. However, if you are not we suggest experimenting with many, starting with maybe a boat varnish found in most DIY stores? Mzuribeads http://www.mzuribeads.com/

maish says:
I ve just joined en i ve over 2000 beads where do I sell

Nov 20, 2010. 12:42 AM REPLY

crazyaboutbeads says:
Where do you get the posters?

Oct 6, 2010. 8:06 AM REPLY

Mzuribeads says:

Nov 18, 2010. 10:09 PM REPLY we either collect them from printing companies or buy them from the Owino central Kampala market, there is a recycled paper trading post there. in the uk I have collected them for the giant one i rolled at 1.2metres long. I got the bus shelter posters from printing.com

desip says:
I wonder if something like modge podge would work as a varnish... it is waterproof....

Sep 16, 2010. 8:49 AM REPLY

Soon~to~Be says:
It works great for me. Some things probably work better, but I find it to work better than the plain clear nail polish

Sep 23, 2010. 10:46 AM REPLY

Mzuribeads says:

May 15, 2010. 2:55 AM REPLY Hi everyone, thank you for all the great comments..it's so nice to see the recycled paper beads becoming more popular. They are Fab (: If you get tired of rolling or trying to roll your own..we have a SALE NOW ON in MZURIBEADS RECYCLED AND ETHICAL UGANDAN BEAD SHOP UGANDAN BARKCLOTH BEADS BANANA LEAF BEADS COW HORN BEADS RECYCLED PAPER BEADS THANKS MZURIBEADS

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/

Shadowsfall8 says:

Mar 15, 2010. 6:20 PM REPLY Thank you for this tutorial soooo much! My sister recently came back from Africa and gave some of these beads on necklaces she bought for my mom and sister, and I was determined to make these. These are some amazing beads and thank you very much. Mar 10, 2010. 5:25 PM REPLY At first i tried this following the instructions with the needle and a small amount of glue but i found it is way easier to use a smooth toothpick and alot of glue-stick glue, just run the glue stick all along the entire flat surface of the inside. Also i thought higher quality magazine paper would be better but its not, as thin as possible is best! i made a ton of them and gave them to my friends and they loved them-thought they were made of clay or something-so great idea!

kiffakitty says:

janeSi says:
well,thank you very much. It's awesome :)

Feb 26, 2010. 12:39 PM REPLY

CarolN says:

Feb 21, 2010. 10:25 AM REPLY I have made these beads since I was a little girl. I love the colors and the surprise factor. You don't know what kind of bead it's going to be until it's done. I learned a few years ago to roll the beads on to cheap "Q-tips" because they are made of tubular plastic. You roll the bead in the middle of the Q-tip and then you varnish and then you cut off the excess Q-tip. The bead then has a nice plastic center that supports the ends of the beads which otherwise sometimes smoosh. You have to make sure to use the cheap Q-tips. The real Q-tips have a solid paper stem and won't work for beads. I get my cheap Q-tips at the dollar store here in the U.S. Also, you can take the cotton part off one end of the Q-tip so you can stick it into styrofoam to let the beads dry after varnishing. I loved this hint when I read it and have been doing it this way ever since.

Mzuribeads says:
(removed by author or community request)

Feb 4, 2010. 2:54 PM

Mzuribeads says:
Barkcloth beads now in stock.

Feb 4, 2010. 3:00 PM REPLY

Caring Hands says:

Dec 29, 2009. 2:45 AM REPLY Rolling the paper for these beads is the way they do it in Caring Hands program in Kampala,Uganda, Africa.They do it so well that people at first glance think they are plastic beads made in China but what a expression on their face when you say "These are recycled paper beads" the look is of surprise!!Try some from os at www.caringhandskampala.org and help change lives in Africa from the slums to decent living and getting the children into schools. Your support would be greatly supported. Thank you & Happy New Year John & Carole Dec 21, 2009. 10:39 AM REPLY

artsgottagun says:
wow i got to tell ya, the beads look like real wood!!!!

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/

heymissmurder13 says:
these beads are gorgeous, they look like glass because they are so shiny from the varnish!

Dec 17, 2009. 2:29 PM REPLY

romaine says:
Thank you for the instructable. And thank you for using the international measuring system, much better to understand then those inches....:)

Oct 22, 2009. 8:29 AM REPLY

JuCo says:
what's so hard about it? an inch is equal to 3 barley corn.

Dec 2, 2009. 9:44 PM REPLY

veggieporn says:

Nov 30, 2009. 4:32 PM REPLY thankyou for a marvellous instructible! your beads are beautiful.. have just made my first beads with some thick shiny paper from some packaging..am going to try it with some old wallpaper next :-)))

yellowninja says:

Nov 23, 2009. 7:04 PM REPLY Hmmm. my mom is selling these from Uganda women to people in the US to help get them out of poverty! Nice to know haw to do this.

theHERO says:
GREAT GREAT GREAT instructable!! This is really helpful and I am fasho doing it(: Thanks!

Nov 23, 2009. 3:02 PM REPLY

phoebeh1 says:
excellent!! I love this idea. I;m gonna do it very soon..I have magazines all over my house. all I need it's the varnish..thanks

Nov 20, 2009. 10:04 PM REPLY

pen_bow_arrow says:

Nov 14, 2009. 8:53 PM REPLY Some of the girls at my school used these beads (purchased from Uganda) to make necklaces and bracelets to sell at NCYC. The proceeds are going to a charity that will purchase mosquito netting for those in Uganda.

bassclarinet23 says:
So clear nail polish could work? Nice instructable, by the way.

Oct 18, 2009. 8:19 PM REPLY

Mzuribeads says:
yes, but give it a few coats!

Oct 19, 2009. 1:50 AM REPLY

bassclarinet23 says:
Cool, thanks.

Oct 19, 2009. 12:47 PM REPLY

jumpertoad says:
this is truley awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i made a bracelet

Oct 11, 2009. 5:37 AM REPLY

woelfwynde says:
You could also make these with the papier mache and newspaper method. Once dry, sand the beads until there are no ridges. Color. Once the color is dry, varnish as instructed above. I have not made this type of bead myself, but I have seen the finished product. Done correctly, it is a very beautiful bead.

Sep 25, 2009. 6:40 PM REPLY

logangina says:
These are awesome, i learned how to make them in art class about a year ago.

Sep 25, 2009. 6:20 PM REPLY

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http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Paper-Beads/