Make a RECYCLED PAPER BEAD Bracelet!

Looking for a fast, inexpensive recycled project that you will love wearing or giving as a gift?
TRY MAKING PAPER RECYCLED BEADS!

Turn junk mail,magazines, brochures, last year's calendars, and gift wrapping paper into cool beads that may be used for bracelets or necklaces.

Before taking that stack of old magazines to the recycle bin, tear out a few pages with your favorite colors...with a few quick cuts, one magazine page yields enough beads for 3 bracelets! You can wear your finished product in about 1 hour!

Everyone asks me about the cool painted, wooden beads in my bracelets...yes, those are the PAPER BEADS made from RECYCLED Pages from MAGAZINES AND BROCHURES!

Try making some recycled paper beads today...I think you will be amazed!

Step 1: SUPPLY LIST~

For one recycled paper, glass and silver bead bracelet (similar to the two pictured below), you will need:

-1 page from an old magazine, junk mail, calendar, brochure or a piece of gift wrapping paper- suggest choosing a colors you enjoy and one with a glossy finish. Don't worry about words on the page!

-A paper cutter with marked measurements or an utility/ exacto knife and ruler

-A glue stick

-Wooden toothpicks

-Clear nail polish and a small piece of styrofoam (optional, see Step 4)

-Elastic beading cord (about 9-10")

-Leftover silver and glass beads

-Cuticle scissors

Comments

[A_lil_birdy]

Great idea, I forgot to take off my bracelet after washing up the dishes and now the beads are a little worn out but I can renew them! I'll post a picture of mine soon..It's great for sleepovers..I'm not eighteen really...I don't wish I was either.

[ladolph]

Hey, I actually found this on StumbleUpon last night and since then have gone bead crazy! I am an avid crocheter/knitter/etc, but don't generally do these kinds of crafts. I have been dying to try something with beading and am also obsessed with re purposing so your project was the perfect thing!

Thank you for sharing and for the wonderful pictures and instructions - you made it a breeze, and I can't believe how easy it was! Thanks again! :)

[Anita Green]

How does one make a round shape bead from paper?

Anita

[realmassage]

I have a question.

Initially, I found this tutorial under the 'Green Jewelry' heading. To make this a truly green project, what sort of adherent (glue) can be used? Also, what sort of 'green' sealant?

It's a great idea, and I truly love it, but would like to know how to make it actually 'Eco-friendly'.

Thank you.

[Shadow_Force]

This is nice!!! It's so fun to make the beads, and the resulting colors are amazing! Here's a pic of a bracelet I made with the beads.

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

Love It!

[AnitaCHawk]

Wow, your's look really good. I'd never thought of making beads going horizontally. At least I didn't think it would look nice. The glaze you used seems good. Did you use any and what kind?

[pamboni]

How did you put this beautiful bracelet together? Do you use elastic?

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

See Step 5 in the directions above...you can see a picture of the elastic cord I used. It's sold in the beading section of craft stores and maybe even Wal-Mart or JoAnns. I've used it with success on many jewelry projects. Good luck.

[pamboni]

Thanks so much for your quick reply. I'm on my way to Michael's today and will buy a roll of elastic. Your bracelets are beautiful. Have any good ideas for necklaces with paper beads or earrings?

[htonks]

How dod you get the long beads so perfectly shaped? Mine all fall apart and look horrible.

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

Fabulous! Love your bracelet design...thanks for including the picture!

[zani87]

Hello!

First, thanks for this instructable, because it made me remember that I already tried this techniqe when I was a child :) So I decided to make again some nice colourful beads, and here's the result:

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

Wow! Looks GREAT!

[rpackham]

Hi, I abosolutely love this craft! We did it forever ago in 4th grade, I think. We used cornstarch, but I've found this to be soo much easier! Thanks a ton!!(:

[platinum15]

 LOVE THIS!!!! dyu think that it would b 2 hard 2 teach k-5 grdrs how 2 make this??? im volunteering @ a summer camp and i hav 2 teach them how 2 make stuff >.<

[rhigbee]

I taught my 6 yr. Grandson in less than 5 mins. And he loving it!

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

Hi- I think it may get frustrating unless you have lots of older helpers-  probably better for middle school age groups. 
Have you considered dyeing dry pasta with food coloring and rubbing alcohol?  The alcohol evaporates....the younger kids would enjoy sorting pasta shapes/ colors and making necklaces using yarn....try googling it to get the right food coloring/ alcohol ratio.  Used to make this frequently when my girls were in preschool/ elem. school...they loved it!

[platinum15]

 oh cool!!!! thnx!!!!

[rhigbee]

Different instructions say not to use watercolor markers. I love using them. I makes the beads look marble like. I just started making beads a month ago and I am having the best time!

[tammydey]

These are fantastic! I shared your tutorial at aimeeasher.com
Can't wait to try some!

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

Many thanks :)

[bsmith-58]

love making the beads but would like to make some short fat one to go between the long ones. could u please help. I've several pair of earrings for relatives.

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

Glad the project has worked out for you. In terms of ideas- maybe you could use a narrow strip of paper that is longer---think that should give you a "fatter" bead.

If you have any old beaded earrings or leftover beads from other projects, you could use one glass/metal bead and one paper bead. That's what I did in the pictured bracelets. Good luck with your project!

[bsmith-58]

Thanks for your respond. I will give this a try.

[Mauigerbil]

Cool!

[htonks]

I have mastered the subtle art of this craft- and kind of defeated the 'recycled' part xD

I went to craft store and bought scrapbook paper- beatiful colors and designs of my choosing :D i still use magazine, but this paper is sturdier and rips and crumples less

[Mzuribeads]

We hope you don’t mind us leaving a note to tell you about our fabulous Ugandan Recycled Paper Mzuribeads, Barkcloth, Banana leaf, and recycled Glass beads ON SALE at http://www.mzuribeads.com/

Here you can check out a selection of ethical and eco beads all made by groups building sustainable businesses and promoting environmental awareness.

Thank you for your support, and for promoting sustainable bead projects.

Mzuribeads

[the.bead.rolls.on]

I welcome you presence at THEBEADROLLSON Facebook Page!

[JONIEK]

HOW DO YOU GET THE BEADS TO COME OUT SO UNIFORM?  MINE ARE NOT VERY EVEN. IS IT THE WAY I CUT THEM?

[the.bead.rolls.on]

can you send a picture of them to THEBEADROLLSON page on Facebook?

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

I did measure mine pretty carefully...also, in the picture, you are seeing the best of the ones I made.  The first ones were not rolled as uniformly... practice does make a difference- at least for me!

[the.bead.rolls.on]

Here is a video about it www.thebeadrollson.com! Love it!

[the.bead.rolls.on]

If you want to join the facebook page TheBEADROLLSON, i can answer question and exhibit your work!

[rudegirl]

love the idea tried it and it works great also regular uhu glue works just fine

[Fanny Fink]

thank you. they look nice.

[zyx456]

Can you adjust the measurements to create bigger beads

[crazyaboutbeads]

This is SO beautiful! Do you use filler beads in between?

[jumpertoad]

I cant cut correctly

[crazyaboutbeads]

Try using a ruler to steady the knife. That way it is more steady.

[tbcross]

Thanks bunches I had tried a couple of times with the kids before without much success...lack of something as simple as a toothpick can really mess up lol. And good Idea on the nail polish too!!

[insomniaSAH]

you know, if you really wanted to waterproof these (ie, not just water resistant) once they were rolled, you could just thread them onto... well, thread, and apply or dip them in epoxy. You can get clear plumbing epoxy at most hardware stores, in anyway from 10 minutes to over night set (though I recommend letting any epoxy sit overnight before use, to let it really cure) and voila - clear glossy sealant on the beads that will make them completely waterproof.

[Lance Mt.]

Whoudlk it come out small and smooth?

[insomniaSAH]

it'd be like using any other lacquer (if not a few micrometers thicker) to seal the beads. Any (minute) extra thickness would be, in my opinion, worth waterproof beads that the sealant won't eventually wear off on, as will clear nail polish (been there done that). If you're worried about thickness, use clear wood lacquer instead. Downside to that is buying, in even a small can of it, what is probably more than you really need for a few beads... though you can always reseal both items. You'll get smooth results either way.

[JONIEK]

I USE MODGE PODGE. IT WORKS AS A GLUE PLUS SEALS AND SHINES THE BEADS.

[kawisahos31]

I love to make paper beads, it's a great way to use old magazines!

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

Love your bracelet!  Nice job :)

[paravou]

this looks like a lot of fun. I will have to try it but I think I will center the diagonal cut more into triangle. Thank you for reminding me of this.

[wanamoka]

I made these back in the 60's and still love them!  Magazine slicks are even better now.

[christzilla]

NICE!

[watermelonhead]

Yay! I'm making a beaded curtain for my Ninja Lair, and I have a bajillion magazines... no more explanation necessary :D

[Kerry1972]

U should be sooooo proud of urself. Absolutely amazing. I have been doing beading for 6 months and spending a fortune on beads. Now I am going to have a ball with ur recycled beads and save a bundle on beads.
Thanx Heaps

[flossse8]

Great instructable - a great rainy-afternoon craft with a nice quick turnaround for the impatient. Here's my first creation, a combo of paper beads and beads from broken bits and bobs.  thanks again!

[mum]

I just love making paper beads and posted some I made on this site, along with some of the other stuff I have made. I have even tried to cover them in a resin!I bought a little bottle in a shop, bu then I ordered some off the net......well, I did say some (a lot) so now I try to cover everything in it!But not if it is moving joke :0)
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/profile/projects?page=3

[ArtIsFunn]

wow!
that's all i have to say. :D

[jumpertoad]

i made a bracelet but the beads did not turn out that good :(

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

I've only been disappointed once...when I used a flyer that was printed on low grade photocopy paper.  It remained dull even after I used the nail polish sealer.  Now, I only use high gloss brochure and magazine paper to make the beads.

[sewpoke2]

I like a cotter pin to roll with:  faster, neater, smaller diameter hole, etc.

[jumpertoad]

I LOve U!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gdtripp]

I've a variation on this. Make giant beads and string them up to create doorway curtains. :)

[bassclarinet23]

That is creative recycling.

[paoreyam]

Geeenial!!!! Very Good!!!!

[Blooette]

I'm not much of a 'crafty' person or a jewelry-wearer... but I think I will give this a try. The variety of colors it produces is wonderful. Great Instructable!

[jinkys]

An a amazing project for my spoiled kids to make and sell and give all proceeds to a worthy cause. Thanks....it will be fun too!!!!!

[lis4b]

Very cool! Thanks for posting this.

[beanfool]

amazing

[beanfool]

amazing

[Lettucehead]

I've seen so many things like this for a long time. Really cool, but I know you didn't come up with it.

[mo5]

duh

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

Your right...a teacher in middle school showed me how to do this many, many moons ago! It's one of those fun, inexpensive crafts I always come back to....

[LiaVivas]

Beautiful! I was just wondering what to do with the increasing pile of magazines in my room! I think this will be the Christmas gift to all of my friends and aunts! Thank you!

[sienna455]

Paper beading is a great way to make accessories for all your outfits and moods. I have used clear "glitter" nailpolish with great effects on paper beads, as well as some pearlized polishes to give the paper bead a different look.

[dchall8]

There was a lady on TV last week talking about her fabric beads. I assume she did the same thing with strips of fabric and ribbons.

[EgyptLyn]

Wow! I haven't seen this craft done in years! Used to do this with my Grandmother. It's fun and you get original beads and recycle at the same time. Like your choice of colors and the extras you added too! Isn't it funny how our Grandparents did all the things that most people think are new ideas. We're regressing and in alot of ways that's good. You have a vote from me!

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

:)

[mschongkong]

Great to see this form of bead making make a comeback, I still wear my bracelet that I made at school at Great Sankey Primary School, Warrington in 1967!!!. Instead of magazines we used old wall paper sample books.

[riceWitAdobo]

This instructable is amazing. I made a necklace out of all beads :DD

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

Cool! Very nice...don't you love making these beads!?! Once I start, I can't stop-

[monsoon0203]

just made a couple beads! they were smaller than the ones in your pictures but I figure it's probably from the magazine I used. they look awesome!

[blacktop22]

This is such a great idea, I love it :)) This is the anklet i made from them!

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

Love it! Thanks for sharing picture :)

[bubbles983]

only three words: OH MY GOSH!!!! i absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE these beads/bracelets!!! you see, i am a pack-rat, and i can NEVER throw away old magazines. i must have THOUSANDS of old magazines! now, i know what i can do with them! make these adorable little beads!! you always impress me, craftmatic! ill be awaiting more projects!

[Lance Mt.]

I'm a guy and i want to do this (for my girl, of course)

[sewgranny]

Brilliant, smart thinking, great project and beautiful.

[scoochmaroo]

I love making these. I'm glad to see this on Instructables. You really get a lot of bang for your buck!

[canida]

Those look fabulous! I love the different shapes you've been able to make by changing the rolling method, too.

[sewmargaretsew]

Super colorful and creative! Very easy to follow and clear directions. Finally a fun project that will get rid of my old magazines. Plus, it will be ready in an hour! What could be better?!

[ChrysN]

Nice, they are so pretty and colourful, I like the idea of using junk mail.