Q&A for How to Make Paper Beads

They are somewhat delicate usually but the end effect depends on how much glaze or glue you put on them when completed. Be careful with them and they should be fine.

Don't decorate the dress, but you can certainly make an amazing necklace, earrings, a ring and bracelet to set off your dress.

If you put plenty of varnish on the outside, and use FABRIC glue, fabric should work. The beads will be more flexible, and may work better on a string necklace/bracelet than on wire.

Most beads have holes on either end that you can thread the wire through.

It should work the same as the varnish, but they will be kind of stiff. The nail polish may chip off too, but try one or two beads with the polish and see if they hold before you make a bunch.

You should cut it with scissors to the size that you want, but add the varnish after you cut it. Technically they're already beads.

You can make bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings. You can also use them to decorate decor around your home.

Yes, you may use a few thin coats to glaze the beads.

Of course you can! You can attach them at the end of your almost finished earring. You can attach one or multiple paper beads, whatever you choose.

Yes, you can use both.

I haven't personally tried it, but with my experience with nail polish of any kind and paper, I'd bet my life your beads would turn into a soggy mess.

Clean potato chip bags, old newspapers, old magazines, thin cereal boxes, or unwanted books.

The longer and thinner the paper, the rounder the bead. If paper is 12” long, try 7mm width at the wide end (you might need to do a bit of experimentation).

Yes, you can.

I like thicker beads that are narrow, so I cut mine 1/2 inch wide and 8-12 inches long. This depends on the thickness of the paper used, and the final size you'd like. There are wonderful tutorials on Pinterest, at Paper Bear Girl, and YouTube. Many have exact cutting templates, and some offer online patterns for download and printing. Cut carefully and neatly, or sand down your heads after a few coats of blazing for a beautiful finish. Try all types of paper, anything from fancy gift wrap to paper bags and newspapers. Just have fun and allow for a mistake now and then. Using toothpicks produces smaller-holed beads, wood skewers or knitting needles make large-holed beads.

You don't have to, but you can if you would like to add a little extra dazzle! It's your preference.

Of course you can. That would look great! Beads are a great way to decorate dream catchers.