| If you love paper and if you love beads then this is the | | | | many strips as you want, depending on how many |
| win/win project for you. Anything works! All kinds of | | | | beads you want to make. Thick paper needs shorter |
| papers can be used including , recycled, old | | | | strips and thin paper needs longer strips. Take the |
| newspaper, handmade paper, old notes, gift wrapping | | | | wider end and start rolling, when you get near the end |
| papers and any paper that you fall in love with! | | | | dab a little hot glue (don't burn your fingers) and attach |
| Passion is the key in making any project look beautiful. I | | | | the end piece to the bead. This way the bead will stay |
| even pick up bits of paper off the street curbs | | | | rolled! You can cut the uneven ends or leave them if |
| because these scraps have an authentic aged look. | | | | you like. It depends on the look you want to achieve. |
| You don't have to do this if you find it unappealing. | | | | You can now add smaller strips around the center of |
| There are other ways of making paper look aged. | | | | the bead, including text or contrasting colors. Vary the |
| You can soak some scraps in tea or coffee for a | | | | widths and shapes of the beads you make for more |
| few hours and then let dry. Now on with the project! | | | | interest. Place the beads on a sheet of wax paper. |
| Materials: | | | | Now the fun begins. Put a tiny dab of glue or mat gel |
| Select paper for your beads, they should be 6" to 8" | | | | medium in the center of the bead. Place one end of |
| long. | | | | embroidery thread or small ribbon and wrap around |
| Smaller scraps of paper will also be needed. | | | | the bead as many times as you like for desired effect. |
| Scissors | | | | Don't wrap too often because the bead ends up |
| Brush | | | | looking bulky. Either use gel medium or hot glue and |
| Straw | | | | place on areas of bead where you would like |
| Wax Paper | | | | decorative glass beads, embossing powders, and |
| Tape | | | | distressing powders. Apply these embellishments into |
| Hot Glue Gun | | | | the mat gel or hot glue. If you use mat gel the beads |
| Mat Gel Medium | | | | will take longer to dry. Remember you can use |
| Wire | | | | anything you want; try gold flakes and sparkles as well. |
| Small Ribbon | | | | To finish your bead cover it with a coat of varnish. |
| Embroidery Thread | | | | You can do this by placing the bead on a straw or |
| Tiny Glass Beads | | | | skewer and applying varnish on the entire bead. You |
| Sparkles | | | | can use mat or glossy varnish. |
| Varnish | | | | These beads can now be used for decorating other |
| Basic Method: | | | | projects, making necklaces or using them as |
| Cut your paper into strips either 1½"wide and 7" | | | | Christmas ornaments. |
| long for a rectangle, or 1½" wide at the base and | | | | So have fun, use your imagination and practice, |
| tapering to a point about 7" long for a triangle. Cut as | | | | practice, practice! |