Calendar Recycling Project #2 Beads

I know that there are lots of people that already know how to make paper beads, but there are also many that don't! SO today is covering two things - recycling those calendars, and making beads! This is an easy project that kids can help with. I'll let you decide how old they need to be to help. I would let mine help with this one starting around 5 years old.

Supplies that are necessary:
calendar
scissors
mod podge (you can also use regular elmers or some other kind of craft glue, but I prefer Mod Podge)
toothpick, qtip, straws of various sizes


Instructions:
Since the toothpick, q-tip, and straws of various sizes are for wrapping the paper around to make the hole in the center, you should determine which size you want them to be inside. I chose the q-tip because I will be giving the beads to my 10 year old to make something fun with and she tends to use kinda thick cotton or hemp cording for making things. This size hole will go on the string nicely but not be too sloppy. :)

I cut off one end of the q-tip so that I wouldn't have cotton fluff interfering with the beads.

These are now ready to use for wrapping beads around! You can also use one to spread the Mod Podge on the paper if you would like.

Cut strips of paper that are slightly cut-in rectangles.

The one end should be much narrower than the other. Not quite by 1/2, but definitely narrower. The widest end is how wide your bead will be when it is finished. You can make your beads all different widths, or make them all uniform, that's up to you! But no matter what make them at least a couple inches long. The longer they are the more times the paper will wrap around and the more sturdy the bead will be when it is completed.

Spread Mod Podge on the back side of the calendar picture - the actual calendar side. Put it on starting about one rotation around your bead wrapping utensil down. So since I was using a q-tip I started the Mod Podge about 1/4" - 1/2" down the paper from the largest side. You start down a little ways because you don't want it to stick to what you're wrapping the paper around if you can help it.

Start rolling the paper on the q-tip (or whatever you're using!). The initial turn is the hardest to control, but after the paper is touching the Mod Podge it gets much easier since it's not sticking to itself! Make sure you completely coat the paper in a THIN layer. You don't want too much on here. It will squish out and make a mess. A little squishing is OK...but too much and you just end up having sticky gunk all over!

Once the bead is rolled you can either A) take it off the q-tip now and do a final coat of Mod Podge over top later or B) leave it on the q-tip and do the final coat of Mod Podge on it now. Taking the q-tip out will help the inside layers dry faster since air will get to the bead from the inside too. Keeping it on the q-tip is a little more convenient for doing the final coat of Mod Podge on the outside, but it will take a little bit longer to dry on the inside.

Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat! You'll end up with some neat, unique, and recycled beads!
P.S. How do you like all that glitter? Pretty great, right?! LOL I swear once you do ONE thing with glitter, everything is coated in it and you can't get rid of it!! This glitter is from weeks ago!!