Paper Bead “Cheat Sheet”

I found a web site that contains more templates for paper beads.  The author calls it a “cheat sheet”.  Since I can’t seem to embed it, I’ll add the link.  The web site is called Cut Out and Keep.    From my laptop I can’t quite seem to read the exact measurements for the beads, but I don’t think it matters.  The goal is the finished shape.

For those of you who make paper beads, I hope it sparks your interests and ideas.

Janet (janettalk)
www.etsy.com/shop/paperchasejewelry

Special Note:  Thanks to everyone at Cut Out and Keep.

Planning for Christmas Projects

It is mid-August, but it is not too early to start saving red and green paper for your recycled paper Christmas gifts. For example, this red toothpaste box has so much potential.

I also love the irony of making paper jewelry from jewelry store advertisements. The paper below should make nice paper beads for Christmas jewelry.

Here’s to all of the recyclers out there!

Janet (janettalk)
www.etsy.com/paperchasejewelry

Beaded Bracelet – Recycled Pink Paper

For summer I created a pink stretch bracelet using recycled paper.

So many people make perfectly lovely stretch bracelets, but for some reason I like stretch bracelets to be a bit on the big and bold side. It still fits tight around the wrist, but the paper beads are larger than most paper beads.

Most people are probably thinking of fall now, and I’m just sharing pink and white.  Oh well, I suppose it is just a matter of vision…..and timing….

Janet (janettalk)
www.etsy.com/shop/paperchasejewelry

Paper Beads From a Theme Park Map?

We recently visited a theme park and I kept the map.  (You can see how we folded it while at the park.)  Will the paper be able to stand up to the pitfalls of paper bead making?   We begin with the map.

I’m not sure how long it will take, but I’ll document this as I go.  Thank you for visiting as I look at the potential beads to be made from this used (pre-enjoyed) map.

Stay Tuned,
Janet (janettalk)
www.paperchasejewelry.com

Embossing Powder for Paper Beads

I just watched a video sponsored by Ranger and Utee.  This presentation showed how to use embossing powder to seal paper beads.  I’ve heard of people doing this, but had never seen it done. (And it proves what I have said in the past. When it comes to arts….and crafts….there is more than one way to be creative.)

One thing of note for me: Using resistant ink on the dowel to assist when removing the bead.  This tid bit of information may come in handy in the future. 

If you want to view the presentation,  The link is here.

Have Fun,
Janet (janettalk)
www.etsy.com/shop/paperchasejewelry

Paper Recommendation

This was written a few days ago:

Since JC Penney’s is changing strategies, their advertisements have changed also.  We receive their advertisements in our local paper.

Why am I talking about department stores?  Their paper makes beautiful paper beads.  It isn’t perfect because it isn’t quite thick enough.  However, the shiny paper has a lot of solid blocks of color.  They can easily only have one model on a page, which does mean a lot of color is available to use in paper beads.  Recycling adds to the positiveness of this recommendation.  And there you have it.  Consider JC Penney advertisements when choosing the paper you can use for your next project.

May 28, 2012 –  Follow-up

Bead shape and paper have a direct correlation.  The beads above are quite useable for jewelry.  The shape works with the paper.  The beads below are a problem.  I may be able to apply ink or something else to help, but you have to admit, they aren’t useable at this moment.

As gentle as I believe I was when cutting and then making the bead, the paper doesn’t reflect it.  The paper was too thin.  Again, I am learning to plan ahead and decide on the end product before I start cutting paper. (who knew? ;-))

Think Creatively and Don’t Forget to Consider your Materials,
Janet (janettalk)
www.etsy.com/shop/paperchasejewelry

Paper Jewelry Collection

I was recently included in a Paper Jewelry treasury on Etsy.  If you get a chance, take a look.  [click on paper treasury in the prior sentence to go to the treasury.]  Yes, I know.  You think I’m doing this because of my own shop.  However, there are a variety of items.  It is interesting to see how people use paper as an accessory.  I notice quite a bit of geometry: rectangles, circles, triangles, cones, etc.  May the following pictures recharge your imagination for your specific art.

Thanks to the creator of this treasury, PhotoEngravingGift.[click to see this shop.]

Recycling,
Janet (janettalk)
www.etsy.com/paperchasejewelry

Wrap and Roll – Paper Bead Tools

Okay.  You decide to make paper beads.  What tool do you use after the paper is cut?  The size of the canal through the paper bead is decided at this point.  There are a variety of options, but below is a list of more common objects.

Toothpick
Small Dowel
Chop Stick
Orange Stick
Q-Tip with cotton cut off
Drinking Straw
Tools available for purchase, made specifically for this purpose

I have used toothpicks, Q-tip sticks and straws.  The straw, obviously makes a larger canal through the bead in case it needs, for example, to go over a clasp.

Last night was the first time I used a Q-tip stick. (below)  For me, the stick felt too short to easily roll the paper.  However, I would use it again.

As you see below, the paper rolled on a straw fit this necklace beautifully. This bead rolled on a toothpick would not have made it past the clasp on this necklace.
Think about how you plan to use the bead before you begin.
P.S. Isn’t this a wearable, fun pendant for summer even if I do say so myself!

For me it is preferable to repurpose an object rather than buy something new. After all, the paper is definitely repurposed.  Why change the theme?

Wrap and Roll Those Paper Beads!

Think Creatively,
Janet (janettalk)
www.etsy.com/shop/paperchasejewelry

Update on Sealing Beads

I recently wrote about giving paper beads a complete glue bath. Since it was so messy, I tried it again with disposable gloves.  There will be no picture in this post.  Why would I take a picture of spilt glue?  Apparently the plastic of the gloves stuck to my little glue cup just enough to cause a mishap.  After catching it from falling a few more times, I took the gloves off and forged ahead.

Epilogue:  It took me a few days to completely peel the glue from my hands.#!

I still do not know if this dipping provides a more quality paper bead.  Hmmm.

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Janet (janettalk)
www.etsy.com/shop/paperchasejewelry

Paper Beads Take A Dip

Based on what I have seen and read in other places, I recently sealed my beads differently.  I dipped my beads in watered-down glue.

The supplies I used:

Small disposable plastic cup
Approximately 10 inches of tigertail
One medium size jump ring
Wax paper
Glue (I am a fan of Mod Podge.)
Water
Something to stir with

-In disposable cup, water down glue into something close to a slightly thin cake batter
-Make enough so that bead will be covered by glue
-Tie jump ring to one end of tigertail
-Put one bead on tigertail (jump ring is stopper) and slowly lower into glue
-Leave in long enough to get thoroughly wet, but not soaked
-Since I was experimenting I used two slightly different methods of finishing
1. Let the bead drip for a bit and then carefully place on wax paper
or
2. Let the bead drip and then very lightly take a wet paper towel remove excess glue and place on wax paper

Either way, I kept the beads moving after they were dipped.  The little rascals will glue themselves down to wax paper if left alone.

The outcome was good either way, albeit messy.  I ended up with glue on my hands and nails.  With practice and more of a factory-line approach, this may get better.  However, knowing me, it is going to be messy no matter what.

The sealant from this dunking still needed more layers according to my own sense of appropriateness.  Initially, I tried this dipping method because I thought it would be a better way to seal the paper inside the wrap.  It is.  However, I have torn that theory to bits when I started to add more layers of sealant via a brush.  Again some smaller beads would stick to the toothpick.  Beads could easily have had their “insides out.”   (See pictures from my blog, September 26, 2011.) Grrrrrr.

I’m thinking the best way to seal paper beads using this method is to either submerge, dry, submerge, dry, etc. Or, make dipping the last step.

We learn as we go.

Janet (janettalk)
www.etsy.com/shop/paperchasejewelry