Cultural// African Paper Beads

I found my love with paper beads when I found a necklace in St. George, Utah at little shop with all things made from recycled material. I always thought it would be fun to learn but never took the time to made some for myself.

There was a lot of trial and error and none of them are perfect but I'm very happy with the variety that came out of it!

 

Where did African paper beads come from?
Paper beads actually did not start in Africa, they started in the 1800s in the Victorian age of England. The purpose of the beads back then were not for jewelry, they were used to string onto long pieces of string for curtains or to separate rooms. Could you image how beautiful that would have been as home décor?

Now they are more modern in Uganda where women will use them as fair trade and to bring in income for their families. They have been a good way to create nonprofit organizations and also a way to educate women how they can create a business and sell their product.
Take a look at these paper bead organizations!
Project Have Hope
Bead For Life


Here's a great video I found of women and kids in Uganda making paper beads from the beginning of the process to the end.

 

 

Now that we've had our lesson, here as my shot at making paper beads and creating a jewelry piece out of it!

 

What you will need 

An old magazine. Scissors or a paper cutter. You'll need a small stick, such as a skewer. Modge Podge.....That's it! 

 

 

 

The first day I did this I sat on our patio and just cut various pieces of paper from one of my home décor magazines and practices. I didn't have a lot of consistency because I was trying various sizes. First they were too long and thin, I wanted something a little shorter and thicker.

 

 

 

The trick? When you cut your pieces of paper make the base of your triangle narrow and double your paper! Layering your slices of paper will thicken your bead up more...when you have a single piece of paper then you'll get little tiny beads (which isn't bad either, they are cute!)

I got the hang of what I was doing but when I started layering my paper it became really tricky!

 

Luckily I made a really nice bead when photographing a sample of what to do!

 

1. Grab your slice of paper. (I have two pieces in this example)

2. Start wrapping it around the stick! Make sure the side you want is facing away from you.

3. Dab a little modge podge as you go.

4. When the bead is complete then lather it up with modge podge.

5. Wiggle it off the stick.

 

 

 

After I had my assortment of beads I grabbed some other beads I had and made a bracelet.

& here's my finishing product!

 

 

 

 

 The magazine I used was a home décor magazine because the patterns and colors are great for this!

Here is an example of a couple pages and the beads that came from it.

 

 

 

I love this project because it's really inexpensive and out of recycled material!

If you have ever made paper beads and jewelry from it I would love to see creations and learn more tips and tricks!