Learn How to Make Paper Beads easily with kids and create amazing jewelry, beaded curtains, or other crafts. Use colorful recycled or new paper to make your own awesome paper beads!
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Cute Craft Alert: DIY Paper Beads
When I was in college the girl in the room next to me had a door curtain made from paper beads. The strings of beads dangled from the top of the door down to the floor and she would walk through this bead curtain as she went in and out of her room.
I thought they looked cool and also looked fun to make. They've been on my craft list ever since, and now I want to share them with you!
In this tutorial for kids, you'll find the step by step process to make your own beads with paper! Learn what materials you'll need, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to dry them properly.
I've seen paper beads in jewelry too. I’m excited to make them with you and then use the beads to make a paper bead bracelet!
Supplies for Making Beads With Paper
You don’t need many supplies to bring these cute paper beads to life:
- Paper- Use scrapbook paper, magazine pages, and recycled paper to make your beads.
- Bead center- Use a round toothpick, bamboo skewer, or straw to form the bead.
- Glue- School glue, Mod Podge or Tacky Glue all work well.
- Other supplies: Scissors or Paper cutter
- Jewelry needs- To make a bracelet you'll need extra beads, clasp, needle, and heavy duty thread.
- Bead roller- A bead roller tool is optional.
How to Make Beads Using Paper – Step by Step
Cutting the paper bead paper
Cut the paper end to end the long direction (11.5 inches long) in the following way.
Measure one inch from the edge (end 1) and draw a line from that mark to the corner of the paper on the other end (end 2). This will create a long, narrow triangle shape.
Then measure one inch from the corner of end 2 and draw a line back to the mark you made one inch from the edge of end 1. This will create a second long, narrow triangle shape.
Cut these apart on the lines with a scissors or with a paper cutter.
Repeat to make two more long, narrow triangle shaped pieces of paper.
Cut a variety of paper designs and types to make a variety of beads.
Bead paper can also be cut to be ½ inch wide or ¾ inch wide (instead of 1 inch wide). This would make a variety of sizes of rolled paper beads.
Forming Your Rolled Paper Beads
To form the paper bead you will be wrapping it from the larger end to the point of the triangle paper. Wrap the bead paper around a toothpick or bamboo skewer to shape it and to keep a hole in the center so it can be strung on a string.
The toothpick makes a slightly tighter bead but may be harder to roll in your fingers. Try creating a bead with both the toothpick and skewer and see what you prefer.
Start with the wide end of the paper and begin wrapping it around the toothpick (or skewer).
Roll the paper up keeping the rolled area centered between the ends of the paper so it wraps evenly.
Glue the tip of the paper down to the rolled bead. Then spread a bit of glue over the rest of the bead to keep it in shape.
Stick the end of the toothpick into a chunk of foam, an egg carton, or a paper box to keep it upright while the bead is drying. Let it set for a few minutes to dry.
Coat it again with School glue or Mod Podge (the same glue we use for decoupage) for a protective coating. Let this dry.
Make Paper Bead Jewelry
I chose to make a paper beads bracelet.
Thread a needle with a heavy duty thread. String the paper beads and other beads to a length that fits on your wrist.
Tie a clasp to one end of the bracelet and a ring to the other end of the bracelet. Put the thread back through a few of the beads and then clip the extra thread.
For matching paper bead earrings you would need head pins, ear wires and may use some small extra beads too.
Craft Tips
Here are a few tips and tricks on how to create paper beads:
- Correct off center beads- Sometimes the bead becomes off centered as you roll it. If this happens, unroll the bead a bit, recenter and begin wrapping again.
- Trim the wide end- Trim a bit of the corners of the paper on the wide end (edge 1). This will keep them from sticking out a bit from the center of the bead.
- Larger straw center- For younger kids, wrap the paper triangles around a straw. This makes them easy to string on yarn or even a Round Friendship Bracelet.
- Paper bead patterns- Cut the bead paper triangle out of cardboard first, then let children use it as a pattern.
Craft Variations
Here are a few variations you’re welcome to try with this paper bead craft:
- Paper types- You can also make paper beads a variety of papers like newspaper, book paper, maps, junk mail, etc.
- Various sized beads- The width of the “edge 1” of the bead changes the size of the bead. The wider the width of the “edge 1” the wider the size of the bead. A smaller edge size makes a more rounded bead.
- Sparkle- Use a sparkle Mod Podge or a sprinkle of glitter as a final touch!
FAQ About DIY Paper Beads
Cut the paper in to long triangles that are 1 inch wide on one end and come to a point on the other end. Starting on the wide end, roll the paper around a round toothpick. Use a bit of glue and roll to the point. You'll find more details in the tutorial above.
You can make paper beads from newspaper in just the same way as described in the tutorial. Try other papers like map paper, book paper, junk mail, etc. Have fun!
More Easy Paper Crafts for Kids
Looking for more great DIY paper crafts for kids? Here are a few favorites for you to try:
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How to Make Paper Beads Easily with Kids
Equipment
- Bead roller A bead roller tool is optional.
Items Required
- scrapbook paper, magazine pages, and recycled paper
- round toothpick, bamboo skewer, or straw
- School glue, Mod Podge or Tacky Glue
- Scissors or Paper cutter
- Bracelet needs (optional) extra beads, clasp, needle, and heavy duty thread.
Instructions
Cutting the paper bead paper
- The paper will be cut end to end the long direction (11.5 inches long) in the following way. Measure one inch from the edge (end 1) and draw a line from that mark to the corner of the paper on the other end (end 2). This will create a long, narrow triangle shape. Then measure one inch from the corner of end 2 and draw a line back to the mark you made one inch from the edge of end 1. This will create a second long, narrow triangle shape. Cut these apart on the lines with a scissors or with a paper cutter. Repeat to make two more long, narrow triangle shaped pieces of paper.
Forming Your Rolled Paper Beads
- To form the paper bead you will be wrapping it from the larger end to the point of the triangle paper. Wrap the bead paper around a toothpick or bamboo skewer to shape it and to keep a hole in the center so it can be strung on a string.The toothpick makes a slightly tighter bead but may be harder to roll in your fingers. Try creating a bead with both the toothpick and skewer and see what you prefer.Start with the wide end of the paper and begin wrapping it around the toothpick (or skewer). Roll the paper up keeping the rolled area centered between the ends of the paper so it wraps evenly.Glue the tip of the paper down to the rolled bead. Then spread a bit of glue over the rest of the bead to keep it in shape. Stick the end of the toothpick into a chunk of foam, an egg carton, or a paper box to keep it upright while the bead is drying. Let it set for a few minutes to dry.Coat it again with School glue or Mod Podge for a protective coating. Let this dry.
Paper Bead Jewelry
- Thread a needle with a heavy duty thread. String the paper beads and other beads to a length that fits on your wrist.Tie a clasp to one end of the bracelet and a ring to the other end of the bracelet. Put the thread back through a few of the beads and then clip the extra thread.For matching paper bead earrings you would need head pins, ear wires and may use some small extra beads too.
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