Anti-Nostalgic

Before Easter, I started to make some paper beads, but only managed to finish the first batch today. I know some of my friends are waiting for photos, so here they are.

I pasted the paper with decorate coat and rolled the beads on skewers and thin knitting needles. To assure they wouldn’t unravel while drying and to give them an extra shine, I covered my fingers in the coat and spun the beads between them. When they were dry, I added golden powder with a soft brush (a small cosmetic brush from a travel set) and used a bigger brush to coat the paper beads with transparent enamel varnish. Later the whole batch went into the oven for half an hour and - voilà! Personally, I love that they are shiny, but that you can still see and feel the texture as well.

Some crafters roll the beads on drinking straws and cut it away on both ends of the paper once they’re dry. That does have it’s advantages as you don’t have to worry about getting the beads off nor about the unprotected insides that may fray with time. However, that is for each to decide for themselves.

I am planning to do some blue batches in the near future - if I do have the time. There’s hope, because I already cut the paper stripes, but haven’t come around to do the pasting and rolling part yet. Will keep you tuned if you’re interested.