How to DIY Beautiful Paper Beads

A gorgeous pile of home made paper beads from cut up magazines. A pretty classy craft project, if I do say so myself.

I remember making paper beads from magazine pages when I was a teenager and have always wanted to do it again.  (Yes, I’ve always been crafty.)  Back then, I’d never heard of Mod Podge, so it was clear nail polish to the rescue!  Handmade paper beads are actually really beautiful and you can make all different styles by cutting the paper into different shapes.

What You Need to DIY Paper Beads from Magazines

• Old magazines
• Scissors
• Mod Podge
• Toothpicks
• Small paintbrush

DIY Beads from Magazine Craft Supplies

Pull out some magazine pages that have a color scheme you like. 

You don’t have to worry too much about what the picture is, as it won’t really show, but words and letters might look a little funky. Cut them in strips that start at about 1″ wide and get narrower at the top.

Start rolling the wide end around your toothpick. 

Continue until you get to the tip. You want to center the strip as you roll your paper bead so that it comes out even on both sides.

Brush Mod Podge over the entire home made paper bead.

I had a foam wreath in the craft room, so I stuck my DIY beads on there to dry without sticking to anything.

Gently remove your hand made beads from the toothpicks.

I thought they would stick really badly, but they didn’t. We put ours on a piece of elastic so the necklace would stretch, but I’d prefer to use something stronger so it will hold up better.

What I Learned the Hard Way:  This craft was a little beyond my kiddos, so I ended up doing pretty much all of it myself.  I would definitely recommend it for pre-teens and teens more than younger ones.