Paper Bead Creations

Paper Beads and Rosary Loops

Posted on Oct 13, 2009 in How-To's / Tutorials, Paper Bead Creations | 3 comments

This necklace is easy to make once you get to learn how to connect the beads with “Rosary Loops” – notice how rosaries beads are connected in this manner. First of all, is a quick “how to” on rosary loops. The paper beads used in this project is bigger and more rounded, and even if they have bigger holes it will not go through the loops. You can use other type of beads of course but since I am the “paper bead lady” I try to make everything in paper beads. I loved the balloon pendant, the colors just cheers me up, I thought it’s just perfect for these paper beads. So, one of those days when you feel like taking off but can’t, I wear my paper bead balloon necklace instead and dream of those far away places…..

Of course you can substitute everything, use other kind of beads and pendant. What I’m going to show you is just basics of rosary loops that can be applied into making bracelets and necklaces.

Here’s an example of a bracelet made with rosary loops. I used the same size beads and amazonite beads left over from previous projects.

Materials are:

• Tools: flush cutter, round nose pliers and chain nose pliers
• paper beads or other type beads
• 30 pcs. 1″ inch head pins
• jump rings and lobster claw clasp

Here’s the Steps:
(read on for photo tutorial, or scroll to the bottom of the page for a video tutorial!)

Step 1 – Put a bead into the head pin.

Step 2 – Cut the head pin to about 1 cm

Step 3 – Bend the head pin at 90 degree angle away from you.

Step 4 – Take the round nose pliers and put the head pin in between the round nose pliers. Make sure that the tip of the head pin is not sticking out of the round nose pliers but right in between the jaws of the round nose pliers.

Step 5 – Slowly turn the round nose pliers towards you with your wrist until you cannot turn it anymore which at this point you need to let go and reposition the pliers

This is how your loop should look like.

Step 6- Before you close the loop attach the rest of the beads already made and continue to close the loop.

This is a finished portion of the chain interconnected with rosary loops. You continue doing so until you reach your desired length.

Paper Beaded Key Fob

Posted on Oct 10, 2009 in How-To's / Tutorials, Paper Bead Creations | 3 comments

When I look at something, I always imagine how it would look like with paper beads.  Certainly, it will be more interesting and eye cathing, it would spark someone’s interest that’s for sure.  I found this key fob at etsy (www.gingersnappz.etsy.com), it is pretty as it is but I think you can take it up a notch with paper beads.  Here are two examples of finished key fobs and steps on how to.

Paper Beaded Key Fob using hour glass shaped beads (www.aubreysbeads.com)

A different look using the one inch tube paper beads.  The tube paper beads is easy and simple enough to do.  You can also find them at www.aubreysbeads.com.

Paper Beaded Key Fob using tube shaped paper beads

Materials needed:

• Key Fob
• monofilament string (48 inches)
• long needle
• 28 gauge wire
• 37 pcs. or more paper beads

Step 1 – Cut about 3 yards of 28 gauge wire, being careful not to kink the wire as it will be quite a challeng to unkink the wire.  Tip:  you could use a shorter wire in the beginning (it will be easier to work with a shorter wire) and just connect another wire to continue.  Put the ends of the wire in the first bead, pull and try to center the bead in the middle of the wire.

You continue adding the paper bead in the same manner.  This is a simple stitch called the ladder stitch.

Then, you add the third paper bead, and you continue until you have a motif long enough to cover the key fob.

It will take about 37 paper bead tubes for this particular key fob.  So now you have here a motif long enough to cover the key fob.

If you prefer to use a shorter wire and you need to add wire to continue – you will add the new wire in the first bead that you started with:

Step 2 – The illustration will show you how to finish the ends of the wire to get your motif ready to be sewn into the key fob.

This was done by holding the two wires in your forefinger and thumb and twisting them.  You will then lay it flat on the motif which will be your wrong side.  Take one side of the wire and wind it twice around the side wire on the second bead.

Then, you will put the wire through the hole of the second bead to hide the wire.

You will do the same thing to the other wire on the opposite side and cut it with a flush cutter or scissors.

Now, here is the finished motif.  Looks like a bracelet doesn’t it?  You can actually make a bracelet the same way, maybe using a slightly heavier gauge wire.

Step 3 – You will be sewing the motif down to the key fob.  First take about 32 inches of monofilament string and thread it to a needle (I find needles used for doll making easier to use for this project).  Make 3 knots ( you want the knot to be big enough so that it doesn’t go through the material, and insert the needle from under the material or key fob.

Pick up the motif and start sewing it down to the key fob by bringing the needle up and down, making sure you catch the wire on the motif each time.

Step 4 – You will end the needle and thread in the opposite spot where you started, underside the key fob so it is not visible.

They key fob is great for office keys, rest room keys, and would make a great present for anyone.  Have fun making those paper beads and always be on the look out for great “paper bead it” projects.

Paper Beaded Burlap Messenger Bag

Posted on Sep 15, 2009 in Paper Bead Creations | 1 comment

I am always in the look out for great projects involving paper beads. I found this great burlap messenger bag made from recycled coffee bags made by women from Guatemala in a store called Heavenly Treasures, they are a great organization who is also helping disadvantaged men and women in other countries. When I saw this bag, I thought what a great way to showcase all the beautiful paper bead tubes in my stash.

Paper Beaded Messenger Bag

I think you will be able to sew the beads directly onto the flap of the bag and embellish it with seed beads, you have a lot of possibilities here.  What I did is sew the beads first together in ladder stitch using 28 gauge wire and made several strips enough to fill up the bag and then sewed the strips onto the bag.  The bag is lined so the stitches do not show in the other side.

Strips of paper bead tubes

I find that it is easier to use 28 gauge wire instead of thread or beading wire to whip up a ladder stitch.  I finished it off by adding paper bead tassels along the edge of the flap of the bag.

Paper bead tassels using round beads and seed beads

And, here is the finished messenger bag.  The paper bead tubes is easy enough to make, you can make them using toothpick or babecue skewers.  We also sell the bamboo paper bead roller which make the paper easier to come off from the stick.  The smaller rounder beads can also be purchased at www.aubreysbeads.com

Paper Beads Eye Glass Holder

Posted on Aug 25, 2009 in Paper Bead Creations | Comments Off on Paper Beads Eye Glass Holder

Paper Beads as eye glass holder – great idea!  It is light weight, eye catching and a great way to show your “green” side.  I made it with different size paper beads as you can see here, using just softflex for stringing, a crimp bead and a pair of eyeglass holder finding.  I know that many of you want to know how to make the really small rounder shaped paper beads.  It is the same principle as making the larger tube shape paper beads, just cut the paper the same only a lot smaller, the width of the starting base of your triangle determines how big is your bead going to be.  Also, instead of using a skewer or the bamboo roller I showed in my youtube video, try using a small nail or tapestry needle for making really small round paper beads.  If you don’t have the time to do any of these steps, you can purchase the paper beads in strands at www.aubreysbeads.com

Eye glass holder in different size/shape paper beads

You will string the paper beads in random size, to about 36 inches or longer depending on how long you want it to be, this time I chose not mix it with other beads. 

This is how I keep my peepers around my neck all the time.