Magnificent Magazine Paper Beaded Bracelet

Hi everybody! It's me again with another project. It's really simple and you probably have everything you need already.

When I was a little girl, many moons ago, my mom would get these sample wallpaper books from the store when they didn't need them and were going to throw them out. She started making paper beads. I always loved to make things so I started making them with her. Now I know some of you are like...wallpaper? Wallpaper is something they used to put on the -yes, you guessed it-THE WALL! Sometimes they used paint and wallpaper in combo but mostly just the paper. I was always excited to look through the books to pick out my paper. The wallpaper was pretty thick and made great beads with lots of colors to choose from. Plus, you normally had enough paper with one sample page to make a necklace.

This is my inspiration for this paper project. I love to recycle, like mom, but I decided to use magazines. I actually found enough paper from one magazine to make this bracelet (plus more). It was a summer mag so lots of blues and green for beach scenes and gardening/food. If you wanted to do a red-theme I would choose a December or February mag. Pink would mostly be May, for Mother's day, etc.

Let's get going!

Here is the supply list:

-Magazines you are finished reading- You may get these from a neighbor, the library, or the thrift store if you don't have any.
-Scissors or paper cutter

-Glue- I used a Gorilla glue stick. I think a glue stick is better because the paper is thin and regular glue will make the paper crinkle

-Ruler

-Bamboo skewers- to put the beads on to roll and later to seal

-Some sort of sealant- I used Polycrylic because my Triple Thick was dried up-BOTH jars! You can use Mod Podge, any sort

-Brush- for the sealant

-Beads for the braclet

-Stretch cord

-Bead tray (optional)

First, just start looking through the magazine and rip out whatever page appeals to you. I went with the colors, blue or teal. Rip them as close to the binding as possible. Place the side up that you want to use. .

From the second picture, you can see some of the rough edges will be on opposite sides. That won't matter after you cut them. Now they need to be cut. I cut mine to 7 inches.

Now you need to decide what type of beads you want to make. I wanted to make long skinny beads for my bracelet. I made 1 1/2 inches marks starting at the top left of the paper with the paper turned lengthwise. You can see where the pen is pointing. At the bottom, you have to offset the page. the first mark needs to be half the measurement which is 3/4 inch. From there, continue to mark every 1 1/2 inch.

Now the paper need to be cut into strips. Picture 1) Line the first dot at the top with the first dot at the bottom, and cut it. I used the paper cutter. If you need a ruler to draw a line to cut straight, that works too. The first cut made only leaves you with half of the paper, so you don't need this one. Picture 2) Now continue to line the paper up, kind of zigzagging back and forth between the marks you made with the last cut. That will make the point of the bead. It will make the long triangle.

Here is where I cut the edges of the paper so that when rolled up the middle doesn't stick out funny. I just cut a few at a time and guessed where to cut. Looking back I would've cut more off, because I still had some points at the center of my beads. You can see what I mean from picture number 2.

So after I cut all these strips, I took them home. While I was watching TV, I prerolled them. I put the paper on the skewer, folded the paper back some so it would roll easily, and just rolled it part of the way. This start helps when you start the glueing process. I continued to do this until I had most of them done. I wasn't sure how many it would take to make the bracelet and I wanted to have enough.

It was time to glue. I put the glue stick right on the flap that was folded and rolled it up. Don't roll it too tight or it won't come off the skewer. Make sure you don't glue it to the skewer either. I didn't have that problem with the glue stick. Try to keep the point as centered as possible so it doesn't end up wonky. My fingers did get sticky from the glue but I just wiped it with a tissue. The tissue stuck to my fingers but then the paper didn't stick to me so all was well. (It washes off easily.) The glue dries pretty fast plus you don't need very much.

So now the beads are formed but you have to seal them. Hmmm. What should I seal my beads with you ask. Well, I asked myself the same question. Many different things came to mind that I could use. Mod Podge, watered down Elmers glue, spray sealer like for artwork, Triple Thick (which is my favorite). I still wasn't sure so I did what I always do-I Googled it! I found this site to be very informative.

http://www.ilovepaperbeads.com/blog/protect-paper-...

She actually used some of what I was thinking but she TESTED them! So depending on how you want the beads to look or feel, you can use her results.

I went and found my Triple Thick cuz it is my favorite. When I finally got the lid off, it was just like play dough. So that wasn't going to work. I went and found my other jar of Triple Thick. I realized I must really like this stuff since I found a second jar that I didn't know I had. It too was like play dough. So I decided to use the Polycrylic. I use it when I make my wooden pictures and it works great so I gave it a try.

Put the beads on the skewer. Then just paint some Poly on the bead. I tried not to paint all the way across the bead so it wouldn't stick to the skewer. Even when I did they still came off easily. For them to dry, I stuck the skewer into a piece of styrofoam. Let them dry overnight, then you can take them off the skewers.

Now for the next fun part-making the braclet. You will need to pick out some glass beads that aren't too small, otherwise they will go inside the bead, like seed beads-way too small. I found some beads that I had already and the colors look good together. Lay out the beads in the order you want them strung together. (Pic 3 and 4)

You will need a lot of cord because you need to go back and forth thru each bead. I used 10 feet I think. You won't use all of it but you need enough to work with and tie it off. The start is most difficult because the string is so long. Put your first paper bead with glass beads on each side of it (pic 1).

Now take the next paper bead and put it on the cord or string. Using the opposite cord, go thru the other side of the bead. (pic 2) So basically each end of the cord goes thru the opposite end of the bead so they cross each other inside the bead. now add a glass bead to each cord. You will need to straighten the beads so they are centered as much as possible. Once you get started it stays even.

Just keep repeating this process until you can get it over you wrist. It will stretch some but not a lot. I just held the ends together and guessimated. I have big hands so you may not need as many as I did. I actually had to take some off.

Time to wrap it up! You will need to connect the ends together. I tried to put the cord back thru one of the beads but it was too thick to go thru 3 times. I just tied it together at one end. I double knotted it. Even though I couldn't go back thru the bead, I can't even find the knot now. If you use the clear cord it would probably be the best.

Another afterthought, the beads were fragile one the ends, I think because the paper wasn't the thickest at that point PLUS that is where the elastic cord is pulling the most. I found a way to fix this issue. If you cut the paper triangle at the end, it will make it stronger. (pic 4) I found this diagram online. It shows how this helps and also shows different paper cuts make different shaped beads. Cutting the paper this way should help this issue. I wanted my bracelet to last so I would do it this way the next one I do.

Here's the finished product! I love how it turned out. I love the colors and I love the long beads strung together like this. I hope you have fun and show me what you make!