More Paper Bead Techniques
In previous articles, we took a look at rolled paper beads and some useful websites on how to make them. In this article, we’ll take a quick look at paper beads made using other techniques.
Paper clay beads. Paper clay beads are the most versatile of the beads here in that they can be molded into practically any shape you want. Use commercially available paper clay or make your own (instructions here). After molding the clay, make a hole in the bead using a toothpick, then allow to dry. You can embellish the bead using acrylic paint or table napkin decoupage. Another way to get color into your beads is by molding together two colors of paper clay to get a marbled effect.
Layered beads. This technique is suitable for making flat beads, like tiles. Use thick cardboard to quickly build the layers. Cut several pieces of the same shape. To make a hole for stringing, take one or two pieces (depending on the thickness of the cardboard), and cut off a 1 mm wide strip from the middle of the piece(s). Stack all the pieces together, with the cut pieces in the middle of the stack, leaving a gap for string or wire to pass through. Glue the pieces together. Lightly sand the edge of the bead to smoothen it. Decorate the bead with paint, stamped images, collage or decoupage. Apply a sealant and allow to dry. Note: You can do without the hole in the center of the bead and instead use an awl or drill to put holes at the ends of the bead.
Folded and stacked. This is based on the same technique used to make the folded and stacked Christmas ornament elsewhere on this site, and works for symmetrical shapes. Cut several pieces of the same shape from lightweight, patterned cardstock, and fold the pieces in half. Stack the folded shapes and then glue the halves together. There should be a hole in the bead running parallel to the folds. Brush or spray on a sealant and let dry.
Origami beads. Origami is great for making puffy beads like lucky stars or water balloons. You can stuff a bit of fiberfill into the beads to help them keep their shape. Here are two tutorials that show how to make lucky stars and water balloons. Simply adjust the size of your paper to get the size of bead that you want. Here are two tutorials for making origami beads:
Lucky Star
Water Balloon
Paper clay beads. Paper clay beads are the most versatile of the beads here in that they can be molded into practically any shape you want. Use commercially available paper clay or make your own (instructions here). After molding the clay, make a hole in the bead using a toothpick, then allow to dry. You can embellish the bead using acrylic paint or table napkin decoupage. Another way to get color into your beads is by molding together two colors of paper clay to get a marbled effect.
Layered beads. This technique is suitable for making flat beads, like tiles. Use thick cardboard to quickly build the layers. Cut several pieces of the same shape. To make a hole for stringing, take one or two pieces (depending on the thickness of the cardboard), and cut off a 1 mm wide strip from the middle of the piece(s). Stack all the pieces together, with the cut pieces in the middle of the stack, leaving a gap for string or wire to pass through. Glue the pieces together. Lightly sand the edge of the bead to smoothen it. Decorate the bead with paint, stamped images, collage or decoupage. Apply a sealant and allow to dry. Note: You can do without the hole in the center of the bead and instead use an awl or drill to put holes at the ends of the bead.
Folded and stacked. This is based on the same technique used to make the folded and stacked Christmas ornament elsewhere on this site, and works for symmetrical shapes. Cut several pieces of the same shape from lightweight, patterned cardstock, and fold the pieces in half. Stack the folded shapes and then glue the halves together. There should be a hole in the bead running parallel to the folds. Brush or spray on a sealant and let dry.
Origami beads. Origami is great for making puffy beads like lucky stars or water balloons. You can stuff a bit of fiberfill into the beads to help them keep their shape. Here are two tutorials that show how to make lucky stars and water balloons. Simply adjust the size of your paper to get the size of bead that you want. Here are two tutorials for making origami beads:
Lucky Star
Water Balloon
You Should Also Read:
Rolled Paper Beads - An Overview
Websites on Paper Bead Making
Easy Papier-mâché Clay Recipe
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