How to Make Easy Paper Beads - Part 2

It's time for part 2, finishing your paper beads!  I chose to try the Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze.  In the past I've attempted to use Modpodge, however it doesn't dry hard and can remain tacky when beads get hot and humid.  (That means they will stick together.)  

I prepared a work surface outside, for proper ventilation.  You need the following items before you get started:

Clear glaze of your choice

Toothpicks

Something to prop the beads up on to dry  (I used a plastic berry box, egg cartons would work too)

Here comes the fun part!  Select a bead, and slide it onto a toothpick.  You will hold the toothpick between your thumb and index finger while you spray it with glaze.  If you chose a glaze to paint on, you can still use a toothpick if you'd like to keep your fingers clean.  

I placed the Krylon on the edge of our outdoor table and used my dominant hand to apply pressure to the nozzle.  This way I could use my non-dominant hand to hold the bead and toothpick in the spray stream.  While spraying the glaze, slowly turn the toothpick between your fingers so that the glaze is sprayed evenly on the bead.  

You may find that you've sprayed too much, and there is excess glaze.  Don't worry, just continue to roll the toothpick between your fingers and lightly blow on the bead.  This will distribute the excess glaze and keep it from pooling at the bottom of the bead during drying.  

Next, you will insert the toothpick into your drying rack.  (Egg carton, box, etc)

As you can see, the beads at the bottom of this picture don't have toothpicks inserted.  These beads were the first ones placed to dry, so I was able to slide their toothpicks out to reuse on other beads.  Once they've dried for 2-3 minutes, you can give them a second coat of glaze if you'd like.  Same process as above, I simply used a toothpick to scoop up a bead from this drying position and rolled it in front of the spray once again.  

Repeat the drying process one more time and your beads will be almost complete!

Aren't they lovely?  I'm pretty happy with the Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze for these beads.  There is some odor at first, I recommend that you keep them outside for a little while to let them air out.  It's important to keep them separated while they dry for 24 hours, as they may stick while the glaze is still tacky and fingerprints can easily be transferred onto the bead.  After 24 hours the odor is gone and the beads are hard and shiny.  

Paper beads, all ready to be used in crafty projects!  There will be future posts that including different ways to use scrapbook paper, the possibilities are endless!