Paper Bead Earrings

I discovered making paper beads this summer and it has become an addiction!

Old magazines, out of date homeware catalogues and even business envelopes (they all have different patterns on the inside - once you have started looking it's amazing where you can find fab paper for free!) can be cut into triangular strips, varnished and made into something beautiful!

I ran a workshop - with friends and family as a dry run a few weeks ago, and will be running a workshop in Exeter for people to make beautiful handmade Christmas gifts on the 14th December.

My auntie, cousins and a friend came to the first workshop.

We started with a bit of maths revision remembering the different triangles we could use and what they would look like when rolled. Here's Chloe with a right angled triangle that will become a cone shaped bead.

The strips have to be tightly rolled around a cocktail stick, which takes a bit of practice, but everyone got it after a few tries.

The glued beads are left to dry, then varnished. We used clear nail varnish as it dries really quickly.

It's amazing how as the strips roll up, the picture disappears and you are left with beautiful stripes of colour. Text can look good too.

 Four coats of varnish later, they are ready for wires. That's definitely the most fiddly bit and takes a bit of practice.

Everyone was really pleased with their creations!

Emilia is very shy, but her earrings are so beautiful that she just had to be on here too!

If you are in the Exeter area, why not book a place on my next workshop? Email me at hollymadethis@yahoo.com if you want to come to the workshop on the 14th November 2014 or if you want to book me to come to your chosen venue for a private workshop - it would make a great hen party or birthday activity combined with a bottle of wine and some chilled music!

My earrings will be on sale at craft fairs and soon my etsy shop!