I used a common technique of rolling paper to make tube beads. The longish beads are strung side-by-side rather than end-to-end, to make this paper bead bracelet cuff. I love the funky, chunky look.
I started with a Nordstrom catalog. I'm not going to be buying anything from it - might as well make something fashion-y from it! I will use about 5 pages to make enough beads for this bracelet.
These are my paper bead making supplies: Exacto knife, ruler, cutting mat, glue, toothpicks, a piece of Styrofoam.
I have cut the pages into long triangular strips:
I roll them onto the toothpick, gluing as I go:
The end is glued in place:
The beads are stick in the Styrofoam to dry:
I coat the beads with clear nail polish before removing them from the toothpicks.
The paper beads are wired together with wood and pewter beads at each end. I am making a ring on each end of the 5-bead section.
Completed sections:
I take the completed sections and using elastic string them together with glass E beads in between. I used 30 rolled paper beads for this bracelet.
After stinging both ends of my sections I have a completed cuff bracelet! Fashion and frugality from my beautiful Nordstrom catalog!
