"A blog dedicated to the art of making paper beads & paper bead jewelry...by Janice Mae"
More Paper Beads Today
I have received a package from my sister today, and she always suprise me with new stuff! She made my day today…
What’s in it? Let’s see:
The bamboo and metal roller with same bamboo handles.
Some are cone shaped or what I call the little Christmas trees. These are so neat because you can still see some words on them.
She wants me to show you how to make the little round paper beads and she already cut the paper for me. She was not this nice when she was little 🙂
It also came with just the regular paper bead tubes.
Little Christmas Trees Necklace
Christmas is just around the corner, and this afternoon as I was cleaning out the closet in my garage where all my Christmas trimmings are kept, I found Christmas wrappers maybe from 5 years ago. Some of them are not even big enough to wrap something. Immediately, paper beads shaped like Christmas trees came to mind and here is the finished necklace. I wire wrapped it into gros grain ribbon and threaded it into polyester chain. I can almost imagine the Victorian ladies sitting in the drawing room rolling paper into paper beads. The swarovski crystal just added a little sparkle into it.
I cut the Christmas wrapping into strips, they’re just perfect for this project because you can cut them into long strips, otherwise I would have to join two pages together to come up with 30 inch long strips of paper.
The metal paper bead roller was just perfect for making this cone shaped beads available at our online shop: Aubrey’s Beads
“Down to Earth” Paper Bead Necklace
I came across a necklace pattern in one of my jewelry books, which really seemed to stand out to me. It was made of beautiful crystals, gold, glass beads, and pearls. The necklace looked so elegant, however it seemed to be too much for an average day. So I thought to myself, “How could I possibly turn this piece into something a bit more casual, yet keep the unique design?” … and POOF I had an idea!
I decided that I would turn the once elegant design into something more “down to earth”. This is what came to mind… I picked out strands of Paper Beads in a variety of different shapes and colors, ranging from small to big, bright to brown. I accompanied them with some wooden beads that were round and oblong, a little over a dozen of tiny 3mm Swarovski pearls and then scrounged up about 6 pretty, tan Indian glass beads. Now I was ready to create a unique, earthy, ethnic necklace, which I could accessorize with an everyday, casual outfit.
Materials:
- 250-300 Mix of Beads, [ranging in size from 3mm rounds-18x10mm ovals]
- 6- 4mm Jump Rings
- 6- Sm. Calotte Crimps
- 1-Three Strand Necklace Clasp
- 60 to 80 in of 20 Gage Craft Wire
- 2- 20 in Nylon Cord
- 1- 22in Nylon Cord
Instructions:
Step #1.
Thread all beads onto wire, however be sure not to include any of the bigger beads within the first and last twenty strung. Leave about 6-8in of wire at the either end.
Step #2.
Attach the two 20in nylon cords to the two outside loops of the clasp using the calotte crimps. Then attach the 22in nylon cord to the center loop of the clasp using the remaining calotte crimps.
Step #3.
Take the 22in nylon cord [longer] and tie an overhand knot around the other two Nylon Cords about 6 1/2 in away from the calotte crimps.
Step #4.
Take the same 22 in nylon cord and tie another overhand knot 6 ½ in from the end of the other side. Trim all Nylon Cord to the same length if needed and then attach them to the clasp using calotte crimps.
Step #5.
Thread one end of the craft wire through one of the knots then wind the wire around the three strands of nylon cord [towards the clasp], neatly to secure them in place.
Step #6.
Take the beaded wire and wind it around the strands of nylon cord, progressing neatly to the other knot. You can use a pencil for more support when wrapping. Finish by securely fastening the beads and then repeating Step #5.
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Art Journal Paper Bead Dangles
Today, I would like to introduce you to two very creative, crafty people: Teesha Moore of teeshamoore.com and Hanna of Ihanna’s Creative Space. Hanna is a constant inspiration for me ever since I discovered her blog. Today, she features Teesha Moore’s tutorial on how to make an Art Journal. I make it a point to learn a new craft whenever I get the chance, or should I say; we should make it a point to learn a new craft. Anyway, here’s my version of the Art Journal, I thought I should make that first step, make the journal first and worry about what to put in it later.
Teesha Moore definitely got me hooked on another craft, she guides you from creating the journal (water color paper), painting it (fun part) then filling it with collages and doodles (the other fun part). I finished putting the journal together and decided to put paper bead dangles, because that’s just me, paper beads on everything.
Learned something new today?
Read MorePaper Bead Curtain by Celina
This post is written on a sad note, in memory of a young woman who loved to express her creative side. Celina Sulam was one of the women who make our beautiful Paper Beads in the Philippines. Three weeks ago, Celina was involved in a tragic motorcycle accident in which claimed her life. She was only nineteen.
I have always wanted to make curtains out of Paper Beads; however I haven’t quite found the time. Celina on the other hand, being the creative young lady that she was, made this fun and colorful curtain for her home.
What makes this curtain unique is the fact that it is made out of “reject paper beads”, or the paper beads that do not get selected to be made into strands. This curtain shows that even with some things a little bit less than perfect, mixed with creativity; a work of art can be created.
Hopefully this will inspire you to go out and make something out of… what some would think to be nothing and see what you come up with. You may be surprised.
Life is a gift and everyone should try and make the absolute best of it. In Memory of Celina Sulam, let’s take something old or tainted and turn it into something new and creative!
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