Scraps Challenge DIY Bracelet

First I gathered my materials and tools together. As I made this for the Scraps Speed Challenge Contest, I used a scrap of decorative wallpaper and some scraps of fabric left over from another project I did on YouTube last week. My scrap materials were:

• 1. Scrap wallpaper
• 2. Scrap panty hose/tights fabric

My scrap/recycled tool was:

• 4. A popsicle stick

My other tools were:

• 5&8. A metal ruler and fine drawing pen
• 7. A Craft knife or scissors
• 6. Two large hole blunt metal needles

My other supplies were:

• 3. A glue stick

I had this scrap wallpaper that I had been keeping for ages, waiting to create something with it.

It seemed perfect for this challenge. It was thick, luxurious and had a shiny gold design on black.

In this case, I just trimmed off the ragged edges, folded the paper and cut it in half so I only used what I needed to make my bracelet.

From one small scrap, I still have lots left over to make more beads.

As I make hundreds of paper beads in my workshops, I make and sell my own plastic templates, so I used one for this project for speed but you can use a ruler and pencil to draw out 12 triangles the same size.

These ones are 1 inch wide.

Draw them fairly close together to reduce waste and then you'll still have some scraps to use. :-)

It's always a good idea to do this with paper beads that would otherwise have a light colored core.

It can look very distracting if the beads are light inside, so I usually do this with all my paper beads.

You can also do it after the beads are rolled by poking the tip of a marker inside the bead but it's much easier and neater to do it first.

It's easier to apply the glue before you roll.

Then you can roll the bead all the way to the end without having to stop to try and apply the glue with one hand.

If you want to glaze the beads with something like PVA glue, Mod Podge or Triple Thick, you can do that at this stage. I did not glaze these ones because the paper was very high quality with a lovely finish.

I came up with the idea of using a popsicle/lolly stick to make paper beads while I was working on a series of videos about how to craft with few supplies and tools during this crisis we are going through.

Although I make bead tools for people who make lots of beads all the time, I also help new crafters find ways of doing things that don't cost the earth. Not everyone has access to tools and materials right now and so I have been coming up with ideas for how you can overcome that.

Using a popsicle stick gives a very flat bead that sits nicely on the wrist and I must admit, I am using a popsicle stick more than I a using my own bead rolling tools now!

Roll them fairly tightly and as centrally even as you can. It takes practice if you are new to paper beading but is very easy once you get the knack.

This is where the scraps of panty hose/tights fabric come in useful!

While working on my series of Crafting In a Crisis videos, I have been keen to think of materials that people may have at home. I am aware that new crafters may not have tons of 'stuff' like us craft addicts do and also may not have had access to buying any.

So I have been using very basic materials that people can find in the home.

I usually use 1mm rolled elastic to ladder string my 1inch paper beads but some people told me they do not have any to hand.

So after much thought, I suddenly had a flash of inspiration and I cut up some old panty hose (or tights as we call them in the UK) to use in a project in place of elastic and it worked really well.

So in this step, I cut a strip around 14 inches long and just over an inch wide from the scrap fabric I had left over.

And the idea is to stretch it out, as in the pictures. It does not fray. The edges simply curl into the centre and you end up with a soft, stretchy length of material you can use to sring your beads.

Just pull on it gently to stretch it out into a very long and skinny strip.

Using two large-eye metal needles if you have them, thread each end of the strip through a needle.

If you don't have large-eye blunt needles, just wrap sticky tape around each end and mould the tape to a point.

Thread your first bead and pull it to the middle of the fabric strip.

Then do as you see in the pictures, push the needles through the next bead, one from each side and pull it down to meet the first bead.

Continue like this to the end.

When you get to the last bead, take the needle back through the top of the first bead to form the circle.

This will leave you with both ends of the fabric strip coming out of the bottoms of the first and last beads which are now next to each other.

Simply tie a tight knot and trim the excess fabric.

Instead of a piece of torn wallpaper scrap and some shredded panty hose, you now have a beautiful bracelet!

You'll be surprised at how many beads you can get out of the tiniest scraps of paper.

Happy scrapping!