Hand-Dyed Paper Beads - An Upcycle Project with Gorgeous Results
Upcycled Paper Beads - Natural and Beautiful
I received the lovely oak leaf pendant in this picture as a gift a few years ago from some dear family members. I really wanted to honor the gift they gave me by creating a beautiful design around it. It's taken me several years, but I think I have finally found the right design. The natural look of the 3-hole pendant is enhanced by these hand-rolled, hand-dyed, and upcycled beads.
I am always looking for new, appealing and practical ways to reuse this plentiful resource, because I hate the idea of it just going into the landfill. My husband and I have figured out a number of ways to reuse and upcycle packaging paper. I think this one is the best so far! On this page, I'll share with you how I created paper beads out of the packaging paper, dyed the beads, and turned them into the wearable art you see here.
I sincerely hope you enjoy this project!
The Perfect Paper Bead Making Book to Spark Your Creativity - on Amazon
Have you ever made paper beads of any kind?
Have you ever made paper beads of any kind?
Making the Beads
Make Lovely Dyed Beads from Packaging Paper
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Mod Podge Tip
The first coat of 
Don't worry! The Mod Podge dries quickly so it doesn't take long to put on multiple layers.
Cutting Tip for Paper Strips
For easy cutting of paper strips: On one edge of the paper square, put hash marks ever inch starting at one inch. Then on the opposite edge of the paper, make hash marks every inch starting at 1/2 inch. Draw diagonal lines between the staggered hash marks.
Adjust as needed for different widths of paper beads.
Paper Bead Roller Kit
Making the Necklace
Supplies for this Project
Here is a complete list of supplies you'll need for this project
- 3-hole pendant - Choose a pendant with a little weight, so the necklace will hang nicer. This one is from Dorabeth Designs (see link below)
- Silkon Nylon Thread - brown
- 1 headpin
Split rings
- 1 tiger eye bead
- 3mm silver-plated cord ends
- Lobster-claw clasp
- Handmade paper beads
Dorabeth Designs
My brother-in-law and his soon-to-be wife gave me this pendant as a gift. I loved it immediately, but it took me years to figure out just the right way to use it. In my eyes, this necklace is the perfect design for it.
I love the 3-hole pendant because of the many design possibilities it offers. The component itself is beautifully handcrafted of pewter and is completely nickel-free, which can be a concern for people with metal allergies.
If you like the leaf pendant I used here (tutorial below), you can find this and many more handcrafted beading components from Dorabeth Designs at Antelope Beads.
Making the Necklace
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Beading Tutorials for this Project
HOW TO USE A HEAD PIN
This is a good, clear video for how to use a head pin. Just make sure that you thread the head pin through the 3rd hole of the pendant before you start wrapping unless you want to use a jump ring connector.
HOW TO FINISH A LEATHER OR CORD NECKLACE
This is a good set of instructions for finishing your necklace. I substitute split rings in place of jump rings because I like the added security. Use what you like!
