Looking for a gift for the nature lover in your life? Check out Igugu Beads’ large collection of nature-inspired jewelry.

The Windswept Necklace and Earring set features an exotic tree against a vibrant pink and red background and handmade (by me!) paper beads.

Ingredients

• Silver-toned Tree of Life pendant in red, pink, yellow, and black
• Handmade by Igugu Beads: hand-rolled pink and purple paper beads with gloss coating (~25mm; 78 lb cardstock)
• Alexandrite faceted rondel (4x6mm)
• Sterling silver cable chain (5mm)
• Silver-plated split rings
• Antiqued silver-finished “pewter” (zinc-based alloy) with “wisdom” imprinted on the toggle bar (19mm round)

Perfect For: Nature Lovers
In a Word: Whimsical
Occasion: Dress Casual to Dressy
Feels: Heavy

Shipping: Free on orders $35 or more!

My Paper Bead Evolution

About two years ago, I watched an interesting video on how to make fabric beads. I bought all the necessary equipment (glues, straws, two-sided tack, a rolling cutter and cutting board, etc.) and lots of different fabrics. Because that’s how I roll (which explains why I am running out of room in my studio!)

Then I went to work. I made one set (and only one) of fabric beads. It’s not that they didn’t come out well. It was just a LOT of work.

About a year later, I watched another video on how to make paper beads from magazines. I already had all the goodies. I started with a San Diego Zoo Zoonooz magazines because I am ALL about the animal prints. That went pretty good. The magazines are easy to cut and easy to come by. So then I started experimenting with some heavier stock. I am now hooked on paper beads! I love rolling them while I watch TV in the evening. I have amassed a collection of about 40 different sets.

What Goes into One Single Paper Bead?

• Pretty paper (78 lb. cardstock is my new favorite … it’s a little harder to roll, but it is very forgiving)
• Trim the edges of the paper so it rolls nicely on the ends
• Measuring marks and precision cuts with an Xacto on a cutting board
• Cutting of cocktail straws (so they have some protection internally)
• Cutting of little pieces of double-sided tape sheets
•  Add the little piece of tape to the paper; remove (hard!) the other side of the tape cover
• Add the straw to the tape
• Start rolling. Start over. Start over. Start over (LOL!). Sometimes it goes well : )
• Add some Elmer’s glue toward the end; finish the roll
• Use a bamboo skewer to support bead while it dries (propped up on a piece of a pool noodle!)
• Apply a gloss coating. Wait until dried
• Remove glue plug from one end
• Done!