How to make a Recycled Paper Bracelet
* Fun & Easy to make, even for kids!
What you needScissors
Glue Stick(s)
Toothpicks
Clear Nail Polish (Optional)
Stretch Cord (any stretchy string will do; I use transparent .8mm stretch cord that you can find at a Walmart, Craft Store, etc.)
Any type of paper material (I find magazines easiest to use, but you can use newspaper, old calendars, junk mail, etc.)
Steps1) Cut a long triangle strip out of your old magazine or other paper material. I usually make it about 3/4 of an inch wide and roughly 8 inches long. I don't measure, but you can use the whole page for a longer triangle, or just a portion of the page. I wouldn't make a triangle strip less than about 5" though.
2) Place the bottom (shortest side) of the triangle strip on the middle of the toothpick, and roll once very tightly. Hold it with your finger and use your glue stick to glue the whole strip (2-3 times).
3) Roll your toothpick tightly so that the whole strip makes a bead-like shape when done.
4) Set down to dry for 1-2 minutes, then take the bead off the toothpick. If it's really hard to get off, leave it a few more minute to dry or get someone to pull it off. (Once in a while I get a bead that gets stuck, but I can always get them off eventually.)
5) OPTIONAL: Cover the bead with clear nail polish and leave to dry for a few minutes. This way, the bead will be smoother and mostly water proof, so incase you wash your hands with the bracelet on, it won't get ruined. (Don't swim/bathe with the bracelet on, though.) I like to dry my beads by getting a heavy hard-cover book like a dictionary, putting the bead on the very end of the toothpick (so it doesn't get stuck), and sticking it inbetween the pages of the book, outward.
6) Cut off any pieces of paper that might be sticking out. Cut some stretch cord that is a little longer than what fits around your wrist (so you can tie it a few times,) once you have enough beads. For my bracelets, I generally need about 10 or 11 beads. However, this may vary for different people. Remember, they can stretch, so you might not need as many beads as you think.
*Tip: Remember to choose colorful, or patterned strips out of a magazine. Each bead will be different, and that's what's so fun about this craft. I also made a newspaper bracelet, which ended up looking great too!You can now wear your custom-made recycled paper bead bracelet!
Having trouble? Need pictures? Check out
this website for pictures and more ideas!
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