"A blog dedicated to the art of making paper beads & paper bead jewelry...by Janice Mae"
Paper Play Sunday
I had a most relaxing, fun-filled Sunday playing with paper. I am sharing this with you so you can try it, and see for yourself how much fun it is! I had so much left over craft paint from previous projects and just have to use them before they harden up and then I would not be able to use them anymore. What I had in mind is just to put layers of paint on a piece of paper, magazine cover, brown paper bag whatever kind of paper that you want to re cycle and make them into paper beads.
First, I picked out a paper bag from an ice cream place, a friend visiting brought ice cream cake in this bag:
And no, I did not eat all the ice cream by myself although I am totally capable of doing that, in case you’re wondering it was butter pecan 🙂
Second, prepare your work space by covering it with old newspaper and tape it down so it does not move around as you work.
Reminder: Do not discard the paper, save it for next time. The more paint gets to it, the nicer it will look and can be used for other projects someday.
Third, gather your paint, glitters if you have some, stencils or stamps, tissue paper or paper towel (which is what I used), brushes and sponges.
Then let the fun begin……
Procedure (in a nutshell): cut the paper bag open and lay it on your table, paint it white or gesso if you have, brush watered down glue on the area you want the separated paper towel (or tissue) to go in, paint it with layers of different colors (on top would be your dominant color), stencil or stamp with design if you like, paint glitter paint if that is the effect you like on your paper.
Voila! This will make nice scrap book pages or journal pages
I used these paint on it and stencil on the bottom part, I was too lazy to do it all over but I guess it came out better this way.
The ice cream bag was big enough, the small part of it that the paper towel did not cover, I painted it a different color, beige/pinkish tone.
This is about 36 inches (length of the ice cream bag cut open), and cut out three strip of triangles and made it into paper beads!
I imagine a brown paper bag would turn out just as nice. So go ahead, play……….paint………have fun……
Paper Bead Trade Creations
We have concluded the Paper Bead Trade and I’d say that it was successful because of all the nice people who participated, who stayed committed to the project with enthusiasm and genuine interest in each others work. We have somehow came to know each other here. Here’s some of beautiful creations from Elim, Liz, Deina and Claire.
Paper Bead Bracelet by Deina
Elim, made necklace and earrings set, you can check out her paper bead charm bracelet here.
Paper Bead Set by Elim
Elim
Liz, made earrings. I love the clear crystal and dark pink with gold combination. Definitely wearable.
Paper Bead Earrings by Liz
Claire also made necklace and earrings, and you can find more of her creations on her blog:
http://laraignee-fauchee.blogspot.com
I hope everyone had an inspiring weekend!
I must say, another day of turning trash to treasure.
My Everyday Tiara
I have always love tiaras although I do not own one. I actually made one in my 100th post and gave it away. I recently picked up a book on a whim Crowns and Tiaras by Kerri Judd and Danyel Montecinos and I’m sure glad I did (nothing wrong with impulse buying after all) it inspired me to make another one and I had so much fun with the creating process of it, I will be making more.
Do you need a reason to wear a tiara? Wear it on occasions? If you are a bride, a little girl, birthdays, New Year’s Eve, Halloween? How about wearing it just because you want to feel special. I’ve had the book for quite sometime now and the more you plan on how you want the tiara to turn out, the more that it just gets push back for another day. Well, yesterday I took the plunge and just got whatever materials I have available on hand and got into it.
I used for the base a dried out sea weed, they are flexible when dry and the color turns to brown just like a twig. Some gold craft wire, paper beads (of course), sea shells (to go with the sea weed). I was a Sea Princess this morning in my pajamas.
If you get one of those “blah” days, when you don’t feel like doing anything and you feel totally useless, try wearing a tiara 🙂 I wore this around the house, feeling silly, happy and CREATIVE!
Today, is the start of my Tiara Collection. I call it Everyday Tiaras because you can make it with whatever theme you like. I suggest getting the book, it has tons of ideas and inspiration.
Upcoming posts: I will be posting finished jewelry pieces from the Paper Bead Trade participants. Maybe, a tiara tutorial. Keep creating…….thrifting…….sewing………collaging……..beading……
Simple is Beautiful
Hello paper bead traders 🙂 Your kits were all sent out; paper beads, beads, elastic, ring and earring findings, and what goes on in your mind is hmmm, what to do with it. My suggestion; keep it simple. It is quite a challenge to design something when you have these different kinds of paper beads, from the Paper Bead Soup remember? The best thing to do, is just string a simple bracelet, this is our first Paper Bead Trade after all. I made the black paper beads painted with pink nail polish and mixed it with few paper beads from you guys. Kayla made very simple but beautiful set of elastic bracelets.
They look very summery and yummery 🙂
It started out like this, with a few beads added
Beauty in Simplicity!
Put on the Creating Hat or Tiara and start creating…..making…..sharing…….laughing……..and loving every minute of it!
My Paper Beads – by Christine
Catherine got her kit today and made a necklace and earrings! She said in her email to me that she has very little experience at jewelry making, but I think she did a marvelous job. Every one of you got one or two of the saucer shaped bead, and she made that to be the pendant.
Catherine's Creation
I wish we had more photos, but Catherine’s camera was not cooperating….. you could still see and recognize some of the beads she used here.
Catherine's Hand Knotted Paper Beads
As promised, I am sending a strand or an assortment of unique paper beads for the first 10 who can share with us a finished jewelry.
Keep creating…….paint a page, roll a paper bead, collage, write a journal……..whatever it is keep those creative juices flowing.
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