Step-by-Step

People love seeing UC's jewelry, and when they're told that it's made out of paper, they're even more intrigued. And, of course, the first thing they ask is how beads can be made out of paper. So, I thought I'd show you the typical process I go through to make my beads:

Cut pages from magazines into desired widths/shapes 

(depending on the shape of bead that's being made)

Try to keep kitty off of the cut strips (she jumps into the pile as though it's a 

pile of newly raked leaves...every time...)

Start to roll a strip of paper onto a toothpick, applying glue as its rolled

Finish rolling the bead, securing the end with glue so that the bead is nice and tight

Using a paintbrush and super gloss Mod Podge, glaze the bead with a 

good thick coating while it's on a toothpick

Stick toothpicks into Styrofoam in order to let the glaze dry, without the

beads sticking to each other or anything else 

When they're dry, I just take them off the toothpicks and store them in a little container, so that when I have lots of beads ready, I can just start making new jewelry! 

As you can see, it's a pretty long process. It definitely takes a lot of time, and a lot of patience! But the result is worth it! Every single bead is unique, and seeing someone wearing a finished product feels great! 

So there you have it -- that's how it's all made!

Blessings,

~ Jess