Cat-a-Cuff :: Paper Bead Cuff Bracelet

[gigiz]

I used a common technique of rolling paper to make tube beads. The longish beads are strung side-by-side rather than end-to-end, to make this paper bead bracelet cuff. I love the funky, chunky look.

I started with a Nordstrom catalog. I'm not going to be buying anything from it - might as well make something fashion-y from it! I will use about 5 pages to make enough beads for this bracelet.



These are my paper bead making supplies: Exacto knife, ruler, cutting mat, glue, toothpicks, a piece of Styrofoam.


I have cut the pages into long triangular strips:


I roll them onto the toothpick, gluing as I go:


The end is glued in place:


The beads are stick in the Styrofoam to dry:


I coat the beads with clear nail polish before removing them from the toothpicks.


The paper beads are wired together with wood and pewter beads at each end. I am making a ring on each end of the 5-bead section.


Completed sections:


I take the completed sections and using elastic string them together with glass E beads in between. I used 30 rolled paper beads for this bracelet.


After stinging both ends of my sections I have a completed cuff bracelet! Fashion and frugality from my beautiful Nordstrom catalog!

[kasei]

*steals idea....runs away giggling*

This is fantastic, and it looks so professional. Great work.

[creatively_clumsy]

This is the 1st time I have ever seen a bracelet made like this.  How creative!!!  Love it!

[Flowers and Lemons]

I dig this a lot!
Very nice and actually wearable
I think that you work very organised and clean by the way!

[McJulie-O]

I have fallen in love with these beads (although I've just made the smaller form), and in my first attempts I tried the toothpick base, but when they were dry, about 20% were permanently stuck to the toothpick!!!

SO, I talked my husband into making a tool to avoid that complication, and it works GREAT: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=304591.0

Thanks for another way to use them. This bracelet looks really NEAT!

[italianchildhood]

Oh my gosh--it's wonderful.
The beads are wonderful, the style is wonderful, the tute is wonderful.
I love it!

[carmencrafter]

Daaahhling,  it's just lovely!!

[ebruistan]

You are really working carefully and you are explaining so well. when i look at your photos i can do it so easly. Thank you to share with us.

[adiemonster]

lovely!! its very cool, i may hace to try this...cuff bracelets never fit me, my writsts are tiny!

[Dragonflower]

Beautiful bracelet, and your tute is so clear and concise! Thanks!