Want Great Ideas for Recycling Creatively?

1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse by Garth Johnson

The ultimate book for Creative Recyclers - Get your copy now and not just because I'm in it!
ISBN: 9781592535408

Rebeka Hodous - and her "how to make paper beads"

(a copy picture of Rebeka Hodous paper beads)


Rebeka Hodous had a great article on the web about making paper beads. I want to give her full credit so I've given you the link to go to:

http://tagartcreations.tripod.com/paper_beads.htm

A few differences, I use a dab of "Elmer's" glue to hold the end of the rolled paper. I dip into Poly-acrylic so do not use "Mod Podge". And I use toothpicks stuck into Styrofoam instead of a drying rack.

Answer to quesion: What sealer do you use on the beads?

I use Min-Wax poly acrylic (water based) fast-drying glossy. I've tried lacquer and shellac and varnish and they are too hard to clean up after, too smelly to work with for very long and some go yellow after time so I stand by good old poly-acrylic. They are dry to the touch in about an hour and cure over the next few days until they are as durable and hard as the smelly, hard to clean up after alternatives! Walmart has a good supply in the paint department for about $17.00 a quart and will coat 1,000's of beads! I double dip some, if I need a particular look to the bead, but for regular purposes, one coat is plenty.
IDEA: try cutting straight strips and rolling tube shaped beads - the words or pictures on the papers show up better on tube shaped beads.

Beading Parties Available Again Summer of 2010

How about getting all your friends together to browse and/or plan your own special paper bead necklace?

Maybe you and your friends are into "recycling" and just want personal jewelry made of recycled paper or scrap cloth beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

Maybe you and your friends want jewelry from paper or cloth that carries beautiful memories or just has beautiful colors to match a special outfit.

(Bible pages necklace shown in photo - click to enlarge)

Call or email: bbwright98@hotmail.com or 801-209-1382 and ask to book a party!

The hostess gets 10% of all sales in credits towards your own purchase of products!

A party is an excellent time to coordinate with me to make a very personal jewelry product.

I love special orders!

* I have made REAL Salt lake soccer bracelets from game brochures. Necklaces from notes written by children in their own handwriting: "I love you Mom, Angie age 5" is a treasure for a lifetime to wear around your neck.

* I have made beads from napkins left over from a baby shower for the Mother-to-be!

* One lady once told me, "if you would make a necklace from my favorite book, "To Kill a Mockingbird", I'd buy it! I found an old discarded copy and the necklace was given to her on her last day as a teacher.

* I have made necklaces from favorite cloths, to favorite colors, to favorite magazines to maps of favorite places! I think I have only begun to scratch the surface!

THINK ABOUT IT:

A hand written note to your children would be something they would cherish forever! "Mother will always with you!" and then your own hand written signature. What child wouldn't love that - a keepsake they can wear!

Paper Bead learning Events

On April 11, 2009 and June 6, 2009 the Wheeler Farm is having two family events where Bowenwright Crafts will have a booth. At this booth, both kids and parents can practice and make their own paper beads for a necklace!
Come see us at the Historic Wheeler Farm 6351 South and 900 East in Salt Lake City.

First up is the: Wheeler Farms 1st Annual Easter Carnival, with Main Sponsors, Utah Kids Club & Thin & Healthy Utah!! This event is Saturday April 11th 2009 from 10am-3pm.

Second up is the The Utah Kids Club 2nd Annual Summer Stampede!!! This event in June 6th, 2009 from 10am-3pm.

Pictures of some unique beads - all from paper

These are beads made from paper that was 25" long. I cut the triangles to only 1/2" at the base - as you roll more and more of the paper, it gives them this nearly ball shape.

The tube beads shown below are made of a topographical maps. You can carefully cut and allow words to show up on the beads!

My friend received an envelope that had the inside covered in red

U's (for University of Utah). I carefully cut the envelope to get these beads. They are small and dainty and will make great earrings!

This was a special order. The lady brought me 3 sheets of scrap booking paper in colors she loved. What a gorgeous 4th of July set! But I made each color into its own necklace so that you can wear them separately if you want to. I'm all for flexibility. That way you wear the necklace more often - better price value!

New Hints for a New Year

I found some gorgeous paper that is 25 inches long - so I cut them into triangles with the base being 1/2 inch wide - yes, very long and skinny. But when rolled that made nearly round beads (actually looked dodecahedron-ish to me) - but different than the long skinny, tube or oval beads I usually do. 25 inch long paper is harder to cut but way cool results. I'll get pictures posted soon.

My work room/office/store area at my house is coming along. Hopefully I can move in soon.

Please check my store on etsy as I plan on putting the majority of my inventory there in the next week. I love etsy! And don't forget to see my nieces etsy store for wonderfully clever "Twilight" inspired jewelry!