Wednesday 11 February 2009

Paper Beads

Today I have had a go at making paper beads for a swap I am entering.

I couldn't get a photo in daylight - so these look slightly darker than they do in 'real life'




Because they are all made by hand - no two are exactly the same, which I think adds to their charm.

They are made with a strip of paper - these were 1" x 9" which I then cut diagonally.

Next I glued the reverse of the paper, and rolled each one up onto a cocktail stick, starting with the widest end first which gave them their shape

Then I rolled each one on a clear ink pad and then dipped it in a little pot of UTEE, used a heat gun to melt it, and repeated that at least four times, turning the bead as I went.



I had a play with glass beads and wire too. One bead (which I have set aside on the right) I made using a left over straight strip and it looks just like some Japanese beads I have. So I am going to experiment making some of those - as they cost a fortune to buy!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

These look gorgeous! x

Moira said...

these are lovely Lottie, did you use a melt pot or just normal UTEE? Hope we get to see the end product

Unknown said...

Thank you for your lovely comments. I just rolled the beads on a clear ink pad, the dunked them one at a time in a little pot of UTEE Moira

It was fun!

Minxy said...

Your beads are ace, i love that you added wire and tiny beads to some too, there neat, i must give that a try :O)

Anonymous said...

wow youve certainly been busy Miss L - these are fab which I could see them in real life....youve done a fab job.

Sid said...

Lovely beads Lottie, the colours are super too !!

Flippinpest said...

They are beautiful Lottie. I love them!

Pat said...

Lovely..

ooh cnt wait to make some now!!

Momiji said...

these are great and I love the effect of the UTEE to make them glossy.. the ones I make have just been with ordinary paper.. these will have lots of uses in your altered art.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous, yet another thing that's been 'on the list' for a while. The ones I saw had been made from coloured magazine pages and the rolling make the pictures form a pattern.

Lovely.

xxxxxxxx

Morti said...

They're delightful, Lottie - the beauty of making your own is that they're individual and unique - and folksy!

Luv em!

Angelnorth said...

These look fab and I really like the cylinder one from the straight strip! Your wire winding to finish looks great, too!

sam21ski said...

Ooooh Lottie they are lovely - like you say, each one so different, they are just stunning, love the colours xxxxx

Hazel said...

Just been having a look through all your recent fab crafting. These beads of gorgeous - you are so clever. x

Hazel said...

Love these, love the wire, and especially the straight one!

Lisa Silver said...

Lovely job! I really love the addition of the wire. It makes these so sculptural!

Thanks for sharing!
lise