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!  

How to Make Easy Paper Beads - Part 1

Have you ever looked at scrapbook paper and thought to yourself, "That's so pretty, but scrapbooking isn't my thing."  That thought used to go through my mind all the time, until I decided to shred it and make paper beads.  

One day I saw a piece of printed paper and imagined making paper beads out of it!  Now I see scrapbook paper in the stores and don't feel intimidated.  This post will show you just how easy it is to make your own paper beads.  Great project for children as well, but I suggest that adults handle the cutting and the finishing.  

Supplies we need:  

Thick printed paper
Paper cutter
All purpose craft glue
A thin stick of some sort to roll the beads (I used a thin paintbrush)
PolyAcrylic or Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear

Once we have the supplies assembled, we can start cutting the paper into strips.  Strips can be any size you want, the wider the strip, the wider the bead!

Your workspace will probably look like this.

 Select a strip of paper, and slowly start wrapping it around the end of your paintbrush.

This looks loose because I had to use one hand for the camera!  You'll pull the paper tight around the paintbrush, and leave a little tail hanging down for the glue.  

This is where you'll apply the all purpose craft glue.  You won't need much, if you over do it, the glue will leave residue on the outside of the bead.  Apply the glue to the tail and continue wrapping it to complete the bead.  At this point you will gently remove the bead from the paintbrush and lay it down to dry.  

This is the first part of paper bead making.  I suggest making quite a few beads at one time using this process.  You will find that you get on a roll and can get this part done rather quickly. My next post will go over finishing with PolyAcrylic or Krylon.  Stay tuned!