https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/beach-ball-paper-beads • Posted by TallysTreasury
Use these simple, colourful, lightweight beads for all kinds of jewelry making! You can also try making larger versions as Christmas tree ornaments...
Use these simple, colourful, lightweight beads for all kinds of jewelry making! You can also try making larger versions as Christmas tree ornaments...
Cut a bunch of little circles of the same size out of your pretty paper. You can do however many circles you want. I usually opt for 6 to 8, but you can do 10 or even 12, or possibly more depending on the size of your circles. (You don’t have to do an even number, either.) I advise not using fewer than 5 or 6 circles.
Divide your circles into two equal piles. Then fold each circle in half.
Glue two halves of two of the circles together.
Glue another circle half to those first two, and keep gluing circle halves on till you've glued all the folded circles from one of your piles together, and you have a sphere. Glue the open sides of the sphere together. Make sure you glue the circles really well, so they don’t come apart later. It can be a good idea to glue half your sphere together, then the other half, let them dry, and then join the two halves. If you get impatient and sloppy at this point, things are more likely to fall apart later.
Optional Step: For a cleaner look, you can colour the edges of your paper bead with a marker or with an inkpad. Beware that a marker may bleed across the paper, depending on the marker and the paper.
For the inkpad option, you can run the beads edges along the inkpad, or, as I like to do, use a q-tip for more controlled colouring.
Thoroughly coat your paper bead in sealant. Let it dry and do at least one more coat. This is what will keep your paper beads strong and durable, as well as giving them a bit of shine.
Now use your paper beads to make lovely lightweight jewelry or anything else that comes to mind. Be creative!