I rescued some paper from the recycle bin.
I printed a colorful pattern on the unprinted side (though using the printed side is pretty cool as there are random words on the finished beads...fun stuff).
I measured how long I want my beads and marked accordingly.
I lined up my marks at the wide part of the triangle and cut with a rotary cutter.
I now have a stack of bead papers.
I roll the beads on a cotter pin. I like to cover the round end of the cotter pin with cloth tape to protect my hand (I tend to grip it too hard!). I use a UHU glue stick to glue the bead together.
And voila! Recycled Paper Beads!
Coating them with a water-based varnish will make them much more durable.
I prefer Triple Thick, but Modge Podge works well too. Modge Podge matte is a nice change from glossy beads.
Other papers that work really well:
Scrapbook paper
Magazine pages
Nature or wildlife calendars
Colorful catalogs
Please note that this is my favored technique...but there are many others out there, for example:
Enjoy!!!
