Chatter

N Taylor on “Blue Bird of Happiness in Brass”:
“I went to HD yesterday and the folks in the tools section told me the key…” read »
N Taylor on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Great tutorial, thanks for sharing. For those looking for the dark wire, the same company that…” read »
N Taylor on “Bluebells”:
“Oh my...I want them.…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “Totally Teal”:
“Thank you!.. Yes Ann the ring is worked in a spiral.…” read »
J Putnam on “Rock and Roll Earrings”:
“Are there instructions I am missing?…” read »
Lois D on “Bluebells”:
“Gorgeous earrings; gorgeous flowers! Thanks for sharing both.…” read »
Medieval Momma on “Bluebells”:
“Very pretty!…” read »
Ann-a706 on “Tourmaline Dream”:
“This is a piece one can wear from day to night, very beautiful!…” read »
Ann-a706 on “Totally Teal”:
“Wanda the ring is cute, did you a spiral worked in to your ring?…” read »
jdbeast1 on “Garden Droplets”:
“Love it....You always inspire me, Ali !…” read »
N Taylor on “Totally Teal”:
“Wanda you are such a skilled artist. Love those bracelets....Teal is such a happy color.…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “a taste of honey”:
“Gorgeous Doktor! My kind of colors.…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Ooops! I meant, Thank you all!…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Thanks you!....…” read »
Laud on “Evergreen Copper”:
“The copper, the stones--love it all. Lovely, dramatic design.…” read »
Laud on “Prince Moai”:
“Great set. Jimmy's a lucky moai.…” read »
Granny Chick aka Nancy on “Tourmaline Dream”:
“Love it! Exquisite beads.…” read »
D Bienen on “Prince Moai”:
“These pieces are just stunning!!!!! Love looking at the lovely projects beaders have done..it is…” read »
Chelsea H on “Lots of Copper”:
“You could always start learning etching! I find that 16g through 20g copper makes some of…” read »
SpiralGalaxyx7 on “Violet Tendril Earrings”:
“Wonderful use of the sari silk ribbons! Love the earrings! I'm so glad lucite is not…” read »
Lisa LaBarre-Kurz on “Lovely Impression”:
“KO thread is used without a needle because of the stiffness of it. At Lima beads…” read »
Mary S – Sweet Chick on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Thanks Lynda and Kate! I'll take a closer look at Swellegant. Lynda, thank you for the…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “Prince Moai”:
“Great looking pieces Jimmy is wearing. The nuggets are gorgeous. …” read »
monicaocoatl on “Prince Moai”:
“I have a huge crush on Jimmy too and he loves wearing all the blink. LOL…” read »
Fresh Baked on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Hi, Mary. There are other ways to get the oxidized look without the smell of…” read »
Chris Foust on “Simply Crystal”:
“Wow! Simply gorgeous!…” read »
Kate on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Mary S-- You could try using Swellegant instead of LOS. These are slightly acidic and shouldn't…” read »
N Taylor on “A Green Cuff”:
“Wow! Blown away. Thanks for all the pics. Wow!…” read »
N Taylor on “Lots of Copper”:
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N Taylor on “Butterfly Dance”:
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N Taylor on “Prince Moai”:
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N Taylor on “Blue Bird of Happiness in Brass”:
“Thank you all. Let me share with you, brass is the hardest metal I have worked…” read »
Blooming Ideas on “Tourmaline Dream”:
“Beautiful! Fabulous pendant...makes for a beautiful necklace.…” read »
Nancy Mc on “Tourmaline Dream”:
“Dream is the perfect word to use for this set. Oh my gosh!!!!!…” read »
Nancy Mc on “Prince Moai”:
“Much fabulocity here. I'm a huuuuuge Aqua nugget fan. They look great with Quartz.It has such…” read »
Nancy Mc on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Thanks for that tutorial,FB. I would never have guessed about the "loop first" method. I'll give…” read »
Mary S – Sweet Chick on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
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Little Round Chick on “Mystic Mystery”:
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Little Round Chick on “Raspberry and Cream!”:
“YUM! Can I have mine with shortbread? This is such a gorgeous technique, Julia,…” read »
monicaocoatl on “Prince Moai”:
“No earrings for Prince Jimmy! I 'm wearing the earrings! LOL Thank you very much! These…” read »

Paper and Wire Wrapped Bead Tutorial

Bigger Photo

About this design:

I just wanted to make something different. And I have seen a lot of pretty paper jewelry made up, and since I like working with wire I thought that I might somehow combine the two. This is what I can up with. What do you think?

Components:

Tools you will need: Round nose pliers, flush cutters, chain nose pliers, ruler, copper wire 18 gauge and 20 gauge, paint brush, some kind of adhesive sealant and protector for decoupage (such as Mod Podge or Liquitex), and an old book with aged pages. Optional: Liver of sulfur, steel wool

Additional Images:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

	Step 1: 1. First tear out a few aged pages from an old book. (To age your own pages, scroll to bottom of page). Take your paint brush and adhesive/sealant of your choice. Coat both sides of you pages, twice, let dry between coats.
	Step 2: 2. Cut 2 ½ inch pieces from your 18 gauge copper wire for however many beads that you want to make.
	Step 3: 3. With the 2 ½” wires you just cut make simple straight loop links. When you get all your links made, and you would like them to be oxidized. Then now is the time to apply your liver of sulfur. Go ahead and cut 3 – 4 pieces of your 20 gauge copper wire approximately 1 ½ to 2 feet long (you can wrap 3 or 4 beads with 2 ft. pieces. Apply the liver of sulfur to these pieces as well. Use steel wool to clean and polish. Your links can go in a tumbler if you have one.
	Step 4: 4. Cut your aged paper into strips, long ways. Cut them just a little smaller than the area between the loops on your links, approximately ¾”. So that you will have plenty of room to make a wrap on each side of the loop, between the link loop and the paper.
	Step 5: Tutorial 5. Start rolling one end of the aged paper strip (just enough to get a little curl in the end to make it easier to get started rolling). Unroll, and now place the link at the end of the paper in the little curl and start rolling. Roll as much as you want, depending on the size of bead that you want. Be sure to keep the paper straight as you roll. When you get to where you have about an inch left to roll, apply some of your adhesive/protector to the underside and finish rolling. Wipe off any excess, hold for a little bit till it starts to stick, then set your first wire wrapped paper bead to the side to dry, and repeat step #5 till you finish rolling the rest. Let dry overnight.
	Step 6: 6. Now take your long pieces of wire and make two wraps in between the link loop and edge of the paper, now continue up onto the paper for 4 or 5 wraps then back down to the area in between the paper and loop, make to wraps. Cut the ends of the wire and press down the ends. So you will have a neat wrap. Continue step #6 till you have all the wire wrapped paper beads done.

Read the comments (or add your own)

On Feb 08, 2012 at 7:08 am #
Mary S - Sweet Chick says:

Oh yes! Very cool beads!
Thank you for sharing!
On Feb 08, 2012 at 7:29 am #
Bead-itudes says:

Love your creativity. Your tutorial is great – easy to follow. Love the beads…
On Feb 08, 2012 at 9:21 am #
Cuban Queen Crazy Chick says:

I LOVE these!! Thanks for including the tutorial!
On Feb 08, 2012 at 10:08 am #
nancykathryn says:

great idea, thanks for sharing with everyone.
On Feb 08, 2012 at 11:48 am #
Harmony on Strings says:

Great, brings all kinds of possiblities.
On Feb 08, 2012 at 11:50 am #
Fresh Baked says:

Unique beads with an easy to follow tutorial.
You did mention in at the beginning of the tut that there was info about how to age the book pages at the end, but this info seemed to be missing.
Could you please share this with us? Thanks.
On Feb 08, 2012 at 1:34 pm #
Mixed Kreations says:

Thank you everyone!

Sorry I didn’t think about the link for aging paper not showing up.
You will find the instructions at the bottom of this page http://www.MixedKreations.com/

Thanks
On Feb 08, 2012 at 3:35 pm #
Little Round Chick says:

Fantastic, original, and just plain great! Love it! Thanks for the tutorial. I’m definitely going to have to put this on my list of “things to do….”
On Feb 09, 2012 at 2:34 pm #
vavor4 says:

I love it i’m going to try it with all different kinds of paper , colored too now that’s cool
On Feb 09, 2012 at 2:37 pm #
vavor4 says:

were is the end? please pass it along thanks.
On Feb 09, 2012 at 8:00 pm #
Eeka Mouse says:

These are cool – and your timing is excellent. I’ve been toying with the idea of making paper beads for a project I’ve been incubating. Now I have your tut!
On Feb 10, 2012 at 11:57 am #
Mixed Kreations says:

Thanks for all the nice comments (-;
On Feb 13, 2012 at 2:04 pm #
Krystone Jewelry says:

that’s very cute!
On Mar 27, 2012 at 6:17 am #
Mixed Kreations says:

Thank you Krystone.
On Apr 03, 2012 at 12:16 pm #
Grace L says:

i LOVE THIS IDEA…SO PRETTY
On Apr 05, 2012 at 12:55 pm #
S Clyne says:

I love it Great idea:)
On Apr 05, 2012 at 10:36 pm #
K wells says:

Great idea for the kids on a rainy day! Thanks!
On Apr 07, 2012 at 10:57 am #
Shannon aka Silly Chick says:

I just love this idea – so original! I make alot of paper beads and this eliminates the issue of holes sometimes being larger than I’d like. Thanks!!!!
On Apr 08, 2012 at 6:44 pm #
B graver says:

these are soo cute cant wait to make some
On Apr 12, 2012 at 10:04 pm #
Jasmin S says:

I love this It’s the perfect charm for my leather wrap bracelet. THANK YOU!
On Jun 19, 2012 at 6:10 pm #
Caroline H says:

oooo, thinking that music would look wonderful in these beads. must go try now!!!!
On Aug 08, 2012 at 6:13 pm #
Mitzie C says:

This is a great idea that’s been well executed. I particularly appreciate your choice of paper in the photos. Thank you for sharing this.
On Aug 10, 2012 at 9:23 pm #
Sherrie P says:

very clever idea…I’ve just started making paper beads and love them. I made my first set of necklace, bracelet and earrings out of them. They turned out beautiful and have had so many compliments on them. Thank you for another idea!!!
On Jan 03, 2013 at 2:43 pm #
J beckett says:

A nice modification to the “traditional” paper beads.

I could not find where you say how to age the paper.
On Jan 03, 2013 at 2:44 pm #
J beckett says:

Oops – helps when you pay attention to previous comments. Found what I needed