Tips & Techniques
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
on “Make a Wire Wrapped Bead Link”:“I was trained to use a pair of chain nose pliers to manipulate the wire being…” read »
on “Using Epoxy with Cabs and Settings”:“I agree -- E6000 is the absolute best!…” read »
- on “Using Epoxy with Cabs and Settings”:
“I don't use epoxy on any of the jewelry I make, plus depending on the temperature…” read »
- on “Using Vintaj Patinas”:
“I just taught a class with middle school children and one painted on a silver piece…” read »
on “Adding a Focal to Patricia Healey Chain”:“Absolutely Gorgeous! I can't wait to use this!…” read »
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“This is great! My mom didn't know what to do with my thick curly hair so…” read »
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- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I want to string the wool beads together with elastic thread in a needle. Which…” read »
on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:“Love the instructions, but which stretch cord are you using? I don't see one like it…” read »
- on “DIY Enamel Tile Bead Stretch Bracelets”:
“No photo, sorry. I'm really in a bracelet "phase". I tried figuring this out on my…” read »
on “Using Colourful Soul Jewelry Pop-Outs & Ultimate Paints”:“Vintaj came out with this line in July. I am glad to see LB is selling…” read »
on “Using Colourful Soul Jewelry Pop-Outs & Ultimate Paints”:“*Squeaks with excitement* …” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“You carry the most beautiful beads, bar none. I tie a surgeon’s knot for more security,…” read »
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“Has anyone tried to use the patinas on coins?…” read »
- on “Using The Magic Finding”:
“Where can we buy the magic finding. It is not in your product list.…” read »
- on “Quick and Easy Ornament Hangers”:
“These are so pretty. I've been looking for a "template" for ear wires/cuffs. I think these…” read »
- on “Hammering Texture on a Blank”:
“Do you sell textured hammers and blocks I can't find?…” read »
on “Using a Hand Punch”:“Can I use it to open holes in Saint medals???…” read »
on “Using a Leather Cord Crimp End”:“A good starting point for necklaces would be 2mm(ideal for .5"-1.5" pendants). For larger pendants(1.5"+) 3,…” read »
on “Using a Crimp Cover”:“To cover a sz 2 crimp tube, 4mm would be ideal. 3mm would fit, but it…” read »
- on “Using a Leather Cord Crimp End”:
“Hi, I am new to working with leather and end caps or any other finishing findings,…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“What size of a crimp cover would you use, for a size 2 crimp tube?…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“Excellent tutorial and superb photos. Cute bracelet!…” read »
- on “Coloring Metal with Alcohol Inks”:
“I just started working with alcohol inks. Most people who use the medium use Krylon Kamar…” read »
on “Crystal Clay”:“Tried to be good…” read »
- on “Non-Identical Twins”:
“I have always loved this idea! It really resonates with me. Interesting to see…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“I, too, need to know how to attach a tassel to the guru bead.…” read »
- on “Wire Wrap a Bail on a Teardrop”:
“thank you. I've always wanted to try this…” read »
on “DIY Enamel Tile Bead Stretch Bracelets”:“I made one bracelet for my granddaughter and one for myself. They are easy and…” read »
on “How to make a paper bead”:“Interesting that paper beads are "in" again... Nearly 50 years ago, crafters (including my grandma) were…” read »
- on “Using Epoxy with Cabs and Settings”:
“Because of the constant abuse they usually get, glue is not an ideal hold for jump…” read »
- on “Wrap Loom Basics”:
“Moogie is right, if you need an answer from Lima you'll need to use the customer…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I’ve read in other tutorials to cut the elastic cord length needed and lightly pull each…” read »
- on “Using the Square Knot”:
“Perfect illustration and instruction for a knot-challenged brain …” read »
on “DIY Enamel Tile Bead Stretch Bracelets”:“These look like fun to make bracelets, and even more fun to wear.…” read »
- on “Using Lillypilly Metal Sheets & Discs”:
“I completely fell in love with the color of these little LillyPilly sheets and ordered my…” read »
on “The Simple Wire Bracelet”:“Nice tutorial. For me, I would need more visual. The camera needs to be closer…” read »
- on “How to set a Nunn Design Glass Dome”:
“Beautiful design!…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“Tip:If I have miss judged my project, I have found I can use a crimp cover…” read »
About this Tip:
Roll your favorite issue of Popular Mechanics or Seventeen into a paper bead using this specialized tool!
Components:
The products featured in this tip are listed below.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: Select the paper strip you want to use. Take the bamboo roller apart, into two sticks, and align the edge of the paper to the flat surface of one stick. Insert the opposite stick into the first stick's hole (if you're confused, see the blown up photo below). This should hold the paper to the tool for easy rolling! |
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Step 2: When you've locked the paper into the little roller tool, beging to spin that stick to roll up your paper. You can guide the paper to create a uniform look or experiment by angle-ing one way or another. However you decide, do make sure you're keeping the paper rolled tight against itself. |
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Step 3: With about an inch and a half of paper left to roll, apply some of the bead glaze to the paper. You could pour out a small amount into a little cup or small tupperware, or just dip a paintbrush directly into the bottle of glaze. It doesn't take much! After you've got a layer of glaze on there, continue the last of the rolling and fasten the glazed paper to the rest of the bead. |
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Step 4: Remove the bead from the rolling tool by disconnecting the two sticks. This should be easy-- a smooth slide! Your bead is nearly finished... |
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Step 5: Cut some fishing line (resists sticky things!) and string your paper bead (or beads) on to it. Pour some of that glaze into a little cup or jar and give your beads a little dunk into the glaze. This will seal them up and give a little glossy finish to them. It'll take about 24 hours to dry. If you want more sheen, repeat the dunk a time or two more, after drying first. Pour remaining glaze back into your bottle-- you can re-use it! :-) |
Additional Images:
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Here's the kit! (finished beads & fishing line not included) |
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Fits snuggly together to hold your paper strip with ease as you roll up your bead! |
Buy Products from this Technique
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We only have 1 item to show you on this page!
On Oct 11, 2012 at 3:01 pm #
TheBohemianCowgirls says:cute!
On Oct 14, 2012 at 6:59 am #
CAS says:Very interesting. How difficult will it be to get replacement glaze or is there something that will substitute for it once the original runs out??
On Oct 16, 2012 at 3:06 pm #
M McMenamy says:I’m going to try the Paper Bead Kit w/Bamboo Roller it looks very
interesting. Does the book tell you how to cut the paper for all beads?
On Nov 02, 2012 at 9:43 pm #
rdmorgan says:Do you get instruction how to make different shapes Deb
On Nov 06, 2012 at 6:25 pm #
DB says:I was looking for larger beads on the African paper beads – with this I can make my own.
On Nov 28, 2012 at 12:06 am #
Butterfly girl says:very interesting,Definatly want to try this Thanks for the instructions:)
On Dec 03, 2012 at 3:16 pm #
DB says:Still waiting for this to be back in stock.
On Dec 05, 2012 at 12:16 am #
C Rash says:When will you have more of the kits awailable? Thanks Connie
On Dec 06, 2012 at 3:58 pm #
Kate says:Hey all! Paper bead kits are back!! http://www.limabeads.com/Paper.....ler-P22549
On Dec 07, 2012 at 3:17 pm #
Lily Cat says:What a fantastic idea!!! I love it!!!! Gotta try this!!
On Feb 21, 2013 at 3:42 pm #
Robbin H says:After you dip the beads into the glaze is it hard to take them off of the fishing line? I have been doing paper beads for a while now and I have been facing a mess. I use 3 coats of Mod Podge and 3 coats of a poly acrylic to finish them. I paint these on toothpicks after I have rolled the beads, and sometimes I have trouble breaking them off the picks. Is this easier? Also does it completely seal and make them hard coated? My beads usually look like glass.
On Mar 07, 2013 at 2:22 pm #
Kate says:@Robbin: the paper bead glaze is not quite as bulky as ModPodge might be.. after the 24-hour dry, they slide right off the fishing line (also helps that the fishing line doesn’t take to the glue as much as a wooden toothpick might)
On Mar 25, 2013 at 5:31 pm #
Debbie y says:Hi I make paper beads as well, it is so much fun, i make necklaces ,but i am in need of lessons on how to string them other then on elastic, i get a lot of compliments,and sold some as well,,
On Mar 25, 2013 at 9:06 pm #
A Southers says:I have made paper beads before and painted them with nail polish… With nail polish you can skip the bead glaze. They look really cool.
On Mar 27, 2013 at 9:15 pm #
hypalus says:where did you get your ring?
On Mar 28, 2013 at 5:42 pm #
M walker says:do you have patterns for other shape beads? Or where can I find that?
On Apr 01, 2013 at 8:41 pm #
Myra P says:I would like to try making paper beads.
On Apr 05, 2013 at 1:57 pm #
Laurel p says:I want to try making the paper beads.When will the kit be back in stock?Can you let me know when?
On Apr 11, 2013 at 7:15 pm #
FayMarie G says:I,too, would like to know when you have these kits back in stock. Thanks!!
On Apr 12, 2013 at 9:59 am #
A beer says:I recently made 2 necklaces w/matching earrings with my first paper beads.sold both sets within a few days. fun to make and a great use for magazines.
On Jun 15, 2013 at 6:12 pm #
Linny May says:Does this kit tell u how to make the smaller beads shown in the detailed photo or does it come with instructions on how to make the large saucer beads, thoes are the ones dying to learn how to make the large saucer ones, one of the photos for the kit shows the saucer bead but others dont so im quite confused
On Jul 04, 2013 at 2:40 pm #
Grama Bonny says:very cool.
On Mar 18, 2014 at 11:07 pm #
Kajyra says:If you are looking for more designs just do a search on Google using ” paper bead designs ” and you can find tons of tutorials on other ways to make them on Youtube. You can find great ideas on how to use them in all types of jewelry including earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Good luck to you all!!
On Mar 18, 2014 at 11:29 pm #
Kajyra says:I have been making paper beads for over two yrs and have made some awesome beads that created some beautiful earrings as well as bracelets and necklaces. If you have any questions or problems feel free to email me at kajyra@msn.com or if you have any ideas or tips you would like to share with me feel free to email me those too. Hope you all have as much fun as I have been.
On Jun 30, 2014 at 8:10 am #
P Boyd says:I run a craft group at a nurse ing home they love making the paper beads and the best thing is they are so light around their necks we make them using wooden skewers that I break in half and I break the points off them just to be on the safe side and we just roll the paper on to them and I make our own mod Podge using craft glue and water mixed together works a treat I hope this is some help from Patty in Australia
On Nov 18, 2014 at 2:32 pm #
C pinckney says:I have made paper beads and find that plastic coffee stir sticks work well to roll the beads and dip them with easy removal. Wallpaper makes a beautiful, thicker, more sturdy bead. I measure and draw the lines on the back side of a particular size of wallpaper remnant and use a paper cutter to get smooth edges.
On Jun 14, 2015 at 3:43 am #
Okello d says:Am OKELLO David from Uganda Africa,we have a group of children who are orphans who makes paper beads,we are looking for people who can buy the Breads so that to support their education.we have 10000 pieces now if interested email me at davidokello30@yahoo.com
On Feb 03, 2021 at 12:12 am #
K McPhail says:Interesting that paper beads are “in” again… Nearly 50 years ago, crafters (including my grandma) were making these things like crazy using wallpaper and Mod Podge or regular white glue and toothpicks, skewers or very small knitting needles. Grandma could get outdated wallpaper sample books for free and one-off/discontinued rolls dirt cheap from our local home decor shop. Her paper bead necklaces and bracelets sold like hotcakes at the local craft fairs and annual city-wide flea market. Luckily, my cousin recently found a small box at the farm house of left over beads which survived all these years, and sent them to me along with the rest of Grandma’s bead stash and tatting samples. What awesome memories!!! <3