Make your own beads

 A tutorial to make your own beads

Step 1: Place in large pot and cover with boiling water (as I poured in the boiling water I was able to add more shredded paper) These two pots (my largest) held about a shredder and a half.

BLENDER METHOD: 
Step 2: Cover and let sit for an hour. Stir occasionally to break up the paper fibers.
Step 3: use a blender to further break down the paper.

Step 4: drain, add plaster of paris and mix well

Step 5: Add enough plaster of paris to create a firm consistency.
Step 6: Roll into desired size balls, squeezing water out as you go.
Step 7: Drill holes. Yep, DRILL, the plaster is pretty tough and trying to push a nail through it only broke the ball. Screw and drill it was.
Optional Step: If balls seem rough to the touch, smooth with sand paper or if will be coating these with tissue paper and Mod Podge. If we were painting them I would have sanded them.

Step 9: Decorate!

NON-BLENDER METHOD:
Step 3: allow to simmer for several hours, stir or use a hand blender periodically to help break up the paper.

Step 4: drain

Step 5: add plaster of paris and mix well

 The best part of this method is that there was less water to squeeze out as I rolled the balls. The draw back is that it takes FOREVER for them to dry. Unfortunately I wasn't able to use the balls from this method of the MOPS activity because they weren't dry enough.

Step 6: roll into balls and allow to dry. 

Step 7: drill holes

Step 8: OPTIONAL, sand rough edges if you plan on painting them or want a more smooth finish

Step 9: Decorate!

 

Source: http://renewedprojects.blogspot.in

Posted in: Jewelry