How to Roll Paper Beads With Recycled Paper

Making paper beads is a fun craft for all ages. It's a great way to use extra paper or recycle food boxes you already have at your house. And you get to make jewelry to match every outfit you own without breaking the bank!

Watch the video, or follow the written steps to make your very first paper beads!

Step 1: Find Cardstock, Paper, Magazines, Old Food Boxes Etc. to Make Into Paper Beads

You can make paper beads from literally ANY kind of paper. As long as it's thin enough to roll smoothly without creasing and cracking, you can use it. From cereal boxes to magazines, it's all fair game.

The longer and thicker the paper is, the longer your bead will turn out. Choose papers with bright colors and varied patterns to make the most interesting paper beads.

Step 2: Cut Paper Strips

Cut your paper or box into long triangles. The wide end of the triangle is how wide your finished bead will be. The longer your strip, the thicker your bead will be.

The strips in these pictures are 1/2" wide at the widest part and cut down to a point on the other.

I recommend using a cutting board or drawing straight lines on your paper so your cut is as straight as possible. The straighter the cut, the better the finished paper bead will look.

Step 3: Gather Your Tools and Supplies

Youll need the following supplies to complete this project:

Scissors
Ruler
Pencil or marker
Paper Bead roller tool (you can use the bamboo skewer if you don't have this)
Bamboo Skewer
Paintbrush
White glue
Clear diamond glaze or clear nail polish
Foam block or something to hold the skewer while the beads are drying

Step 4: Roll Your Strip

Roll your strip onto your bamboo skew or paper bead roller. Keep a firm but not too tight pressure on the strip as you roll. When you get to the tip, apply a small bit of white glue and press down firmly. You may need to hold it in place until it the glue dries enough to keep it flat.

Step 5: Glaze the Paper Bead

Slide the beads onto the bamboo skewer.

Brush the glaze onto each of your beads in a smooth, thin coat. Let dry and add at least one additional coat. More coats can be added to achieve the look you want.

If you try to make jewelry out of unglazed paper beads, it's not going last past your first hot day or hand washing! Glazing the beads makes them hard, shiny, and water-resistant so they can be worn without worrying about ruining them.