Paper Beads- Jewelry With a Hidden Meaning

Jewelry is a wonderful gift.  Hand-crafted jewelry with a hidden message is both glorious and sublime. Paper beads elevate the material to a  new height. A necklace from love letters that made a widow feel at peace.  A bracelet from a cherished childhood book worn by a college student far from home, but tangibly linked.  Beads made from vacation photos show just enough of the scenery to bring a smile to the wearers face. A slightly lopsided necklace from magazines in the child’s mothers favorite colors is pure love on a string.  Easy to make, lovely to wear.

Paper; magazines, craft paper, parchment paper, books, foil, junk mail, love letters,..

Stick glue, Scissors, Cocktail straw or juice box straw

Scissors, Ruler, Pencil

Material for stringing- elastic, thread, thin wire…

Choose the paper.  Glossy magazine pages are easy to practice rolling the beads.

However, in order for the jewelry to have a hidden meaning select paper that is meaningful.  A hand written letter of appreciation can be crafted into beads and gifted with a copy of the original letter.  A copy of a teenager's first car title, the acceptance letter to college, concert tickets…or carefully selected magazine photos in the wearer's favorite colors.

The width of a ruler makes a great sized bead. Identify the part of the page you would like to use, then draw a line on each side of the ruler. Next, draw a line from corner to corner. A necklace requires about 25-40 beads. It is easier to cut all strips at once, make extra. The strips can be cut thinner or wider to make beads of different sizes. Cut. Tip- if you are doing this with a child, after they select the paper, an adult can cut it with a paper cutter.

Starting at the wide end of the paper triangle, roll the paper tightly around the straw, at least one complete time.  Then use a glue stick to apply glue to the entire triangle.  Carefully roll, then slide the bead off the straw.  Tip- if you are doing this with a child, have them glue the paper to the straw, then cut the straw.  (It will provide additional structure and be easier to roll)  If desired, the beads can be sealed with clear nail polish.  Once they are sealed, slide the bead onto a bamboo skewer to dry.

Create necklaces, bracelets or earrings.  Then design the packaging, be sure to explain the hidden message or meaning of the piece.