Have you ever imagined about the feeling that you get when you make something new on your own and it turns out to be stylish and exceptionally brilliant. How about making fashion accessories out of old newspapers. Wondering what it would be like? You can make beads out of these old newspapers that pile at your house and string them to make neck pieces, bracelets and earrings.
Newspapers are easily available and you use it for various purposes i.e. for litting a bonefire on a cold night or for packing fragile items and what not. Here is an innovative technique of making beads out of papers that otherwise go in to garbage. Making beads use methods that are similar ones used for making handcrafted paper, costumes as well as handmade home decor items.
Difficulty Level: Moderately challenging.
Time required: This is a muddled project that is time consuming. It may take couple of days to get your beads ready. But will be a very creative and enthusiastic procedure.
Resources required
1. Some Old newspapers
2. Water
3. Big pot
4. Glue
5. Craft paint
6. Varnish
7. Drill
Estimated Cost: Itâs unbelievable that you can make some so beautiful as beads and that to for no cost.
Instructions
1. Assemble a small load of newspapers from the recycling basket and shred them in to pieces and put it in a large stock pot.
2. Pour sufficient water that is hot over the paper to cover it fully. Let it sit for more than an hour. Stir the paper to break it down to some extent.
3. Drain off all the extra water and stir the remnants with spatula
Add enough glue to the paper to help it hold together in a ball shape. Make use of any glue that is clear when dry, such as Elmerâs or Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
5. Pull off small pieces according to the size of the beads you wish to make. Now roll them in the palm of your hand to form a ball. Make sure you squeeze out any excess water. Place it on a cookie sheet and allow it to dry for at least a day and a half or until it becomes hard. But remember to keep them rolling in between.
6. Once dry make you of Sandpaper on each bead to remove the rough edges and make it look smoother.
7. Now these balls need holes to make them look like beads. You can make holes in two ways as per your comfort and convenience. You can either poke a toothpick through them while they are wet or drill holes in to them once they dry. Drill holes according to the size of material you wish to string them into. Make use of finger nail clippers to cut away the edges that are created around the drilled holes.
8. Paint them with left over craft paint. And you will love the way these beads turn out with marble-effect. Try different shades of color. Paint the beads using a sponge brush or a normal one which ever you find convenient. String them in to threads or laces which ever you like.
8. Once you strung the beads, hold one end and dip the entire strand in varnish. This step seals the papers like beads and gives them the beautiful shiny and a finished look. You can also first varnish the beads and then string them in to necklace or bracelet. Once dry, you paper made bead accessories are ready to wear!
Frequently asked questions
How much time does it take to make paper beads?
This project takes time so you can try it as a summer project or when you have ample time to take care that things are getting perfectly done.
Can the beads be used for commercial purposes?
You can gift these beautiful handmade accessories to your friends or you can start your own business by selling these accesories at the same time recycle your piles of old newspapers.
Quick tips
Try painting the beads in mix of colors and you would be just surprised to see how beautiful they turn out to be. You can try and find out innovative way to color and string these paper beads. For example paint these beads in pink and string them in to black velvet ribbon and just see how beautiful and stylish they turn out to be. And bet it no one would make out those beautiful beads out of newspaper.
Things to watch out for
After painting the beads once they dry you may have to poke a safety pin through it to unclog the hole before they are ready to be strung.
