How to Make Pretty Paper Beads from Old Magazines

Have you ever wondered if there is a creative way you can use the old magazines you have laying around? Why not try making paper beads? These beads are easy to make, pretty, and make lovely and unique necklaces and bracelets when strung together. Here's how to make beads out of old magazines:

Supplies:

White Glue

Old Magazines

Toothpicks

Find a colorful page in your magazine and cut or tear it out. Cut a strip from the page the long way about the width you want your finished bead to be. Next, user a ruler to draw a line from one corner of the strip diagonally to the other corner. Cut along the line you just drew and when you are finished cutting you should have two long triangles of paper.

Next, lay one of the triangles wrong-side up on your work surface. Spread a thin layer of white glue over the paper from the tip of the triangle down to about 1/4" from the larger end of the triangle - you don't have to be too exact. Make sure that the paper is evenly coated with glue and then starting at the wider end begin to roll it tightly around one of the toothpicks.

Continue rolling until you reach the end of the triangle, making sure that the tip is securely glued down to the rest of the bead. Set it aside to dry and start on your next bead. When the beads are dry remove them from the toothpicks and string them up however you prefer. You can use them alone or combine them with other beads to create beautiful necklaces and bracelets. The best part is that they are essentially free to make!

These beads are a great project for children, but are also pretty enough that many adults enjoy making them too. Play around using different widths for your triangles to create different sized beads. For fatter beads you can glue two strips together end to end before cutting them into triangles so you have more length to wrap. Use your imagination and creativity to see what other ideas you can come up with on your own, and have fun!