Pod bead tutorial
If you think of paper beads you probably think of the mod podge ones that are available all over the net. With that in mind I wanted to show you another way of making very simple paper beads, I call them pod beads.
For this tutorial you will need:
- A paper punch in a symmetrical shape. I used the flower shape called vinca for this tutorial but you can also use a simple circle shape as in the picture above. My large punches are 25mm (1 inch) diameter. The small ones are 20mm (3/4 inch) diameter.
- Paper; I used some origami washi paper and scrapbook paper but you can use this technique to recycle your magazine, newspaper or even old books.
- Glue
- Optional: sealer for durability
For the necklace I used:
- Organic hemp twine from the trade aid shop.
- Couple of wooden beads.
Ok so let’s start with the tutorial!
Start with punching out heaps of shapes from the paper. I used about 6 of each color for the small bead and 8 of each color for the larger ones but you might want to experiment and use more or less.
Fold the papers in half, making sure you have the colour you want to show off on the inside of your fold. I folded mine through the middle of the petal so you get a nice pointy bead.
Now the tricky part starts; gluing the whole thing together. Try to be as precise as possible when you glue the shapes together. I first pair up all the colors so the glue has time to dry as in the picture above.
That’s all – you’re finished!! Now string them on a piece of twine with some wooden beads like I did, or you can pick a pretty ribbon and some sparkly beads to make it a bit more sophisticated. Time to get crafty!
If you make some of these paper pods, we’d love to see how yours turn out! Please upload your pics to the Folding Trees Flickr group.
Posted: September 25th, 2008 by Eve under Folding Trees Tutorials, Jewellery & Accessories.
Comments: 36
Comments
Comment from Kym
Time: September 25, 2008, 6:48 am
Thanks for sharing this method of bead making. Yours look so pretty! I will definitely be giving this a try.
Comment from Renee
Time: September 25, 2008, 9:24 am
Fantastic!!! I’m so stoked about these. I think I’ll be trying these later this week.
Comment from MelanieL
Time: September 25, 2008, 11:14 am
Gorgeous! Thanks for posting this!
Comment from Rachel
Time: September 25, 2008, 11:49 am
How cute! I love these! I’ll be linking to this project!
Comment from Oh2122
Time: September 25, 2008, 1:42 pm
Unreal… They’re pretty and fascinating at the same time!
These are so amazing, I have no idea how you come up with all of this great stuff!
Comment from Kari
Time: September 25, 2008, 1:51 pm
I love the unconventional use of paper punches! I’m not really a scrapper, but I am collecting a growing number of punches! Thanks for showing me what to do with them!
Comment from Michelle
Time: September 25, 2008, 1:55 pm
Just awesome. We’ll be trying some of these soon, for sure! See? I knew I bought all those punches for some reason. Thanks!
Comment from Kathleen
Time: September 25, 2008, 3:27 pm
These are fabulous. One question. If you’re going to use the optional sealer, when and how would that best be done? Thanks!
Comment from Eve
Time: September 25, 2008, 7:18 pm
Hi Kathleen,
I would probably use the sealer on the paper before you even punch the shapes out. Make sure you let it dry really well maybe even overnight. I tried the sealer after making the bead but it became a real sticky mess.
Eve
Comment from Sarah
Time: September 26, 2008, 2:33 am
These are so beautiful – I love them. So simple, but so effective!
Comment from JoAnn
Time: September 26, 2008, 10:19 am
What a wonderful idea. Simple and yet the result looks complicated. The white edge of the paper gives a nice finishing touch.
Comment from Lori
Time: September 26, 2008, 11:21 am
These are so beautiful! I need to try this. thank you for the tutorial.
Comment from Mary Gondola
Time: September 26, 2008, 11:39 am
Wow! I would never have thought of this, you’re so clever! What a great project to brighten up a rainy day!
Comment from Alessia
Time: September 28, 2008, 11:45 am
Awesome beads and very clever tutorial! I’ll be linking to it soon. Thanks for sharing!
Comment from Joanne Tinley
Time: September 28, 2008, 5:15 pm
How lovely! As a silversmith I’m addicted to all beads, no matter the materials. I’ve got lots of paperpunches – I can’t wait to see what shape beads I can make with them! Thanks for the tutorial – I will link to it from my blog.
Comment from Alisa
Time: October 1, 2008, 12:04 pm
This is great. I am going to do a simplified version of this, involving some drawing, as holiday ornaments with my elementary art students this winter. We’re always asked to decorate a local grocery store or bank, and I think this will be perfect.
Pingback from Lovely Paper “Pod beads” Tutorial · Indie Crafts @ CraftGossip
Time: October 1, 2008, 1:17 pm
[...] international duo at Folding Trees show us how to make these deceptively simple yet oh-so-stylish paper pod beads using pretty origami paper and a paper [...]
Comment from Sherezada
Time: October 1, 2008, 1:21 pm
These are too cute! I just wanted to let you know I had to share this awesome tutorial on the Indie Craft Blog at CraftGossip.com!
You can see the post here: http://indiecrafts.craftgossip.com/2008/10/01/lovely-paper-pod-beads-tutorial/
Keep up the good work!
Comment from elsa gygax
Time: October 2, 2008, 8:07 pm
I will definitely try these beads, although it is not easy to find the punches in my country…. I will manage with some I bought long ago and with circles in different shapes and will tell you how it goes…..
Comment from cata
Time: October 18, 2008, 11:00 am
Amazing idea!!!
Amazing tutorial!
Thanks for sharing.
Cata
Pingback from Paper Pod Beads at Mochimochi Blog
Time: October 21, 2008, 8:55 am
[...] got the idea from a tutorial on Folding Trees. Published by Anna on October 21, 2008 in Crafted Things. « Pastel [...]
Comment from Black Pumpkin
Time: November 6, 2008, 7:38 am
Awesome!
I was looking for something to do with my niece. This is an amusing idea. Thanks for the tutorial!
Pingback from Christmas in My Cubical « Kellogues
Time: November 6, 2008, 5:23 pm
[...] now…we’ve all been ignoring it…hopefully it’s a fluke.) I found this idea here…and thought it would be a fun holiday decoration rather then a necklace (seriously, who wants [...]
Comment from Ziara
Time: January 13, 2009, 7:59 am
Wow…….it’s really unbelievable….and it’s so fantastic and also cool
I really love this website from now on…I’ll always gather up infos here……….:)
Comment from Sherry Buenrostro
Time: April 9, 2009, 4:10 pm
Beautiful pattern, thank you for sharing!
Comment from Eve
Time: May 8, 2009, 1:19 am
I have made these in a large size for Christimas ornaments but never thought to scale them down for a necklace. Good idea.
Comment from Megan
Time: May 27, 2009, 11:16 am
I just tried this project and it turned out great! Thanks for the tutorial. I’ll definitely send a link to this project to my crafty friends.
Comment from Megan
Time: May 27, 2009, 11:19 am
I forgot to mention, I used colored printer paper and also tried using construction paper. Construction paper makes thicker, sturdier beads, but it’s hard to punch through the paper unless the punch you’re using is very sharp. Otherwise the edges come out a little fuzzy.
Pingback from Ka??ttan Kolye Yapmak-Kolye Modeli modelleri | Ka??ttan Kolye Yapmak-Kolye Modeli | örgü motifleri, örgü çe?itleri, dantel örnekleri
Time: May 7, 2010, 7:26 am
[...] Ka??ttan yap?lm?? bir kolye sizlerle kar?? kar??ya.Nas?l yap?l?yor diyorsan?z bu siteye bakabilirsiniz.Fakat site ingilizce 
:) resimlere bakarak ö?renirsiniz [...]
Pingback from FECK YES! Working & Paper bead tutorial (= « CherrySimone's Blog
Time: May 7, 2010, 7:40 pm
[...] Folding Trees a completely different paper bead!!! [...]
Pingback from New Orleans Craft Mafia Recycled Paper Craft Workshops at NOMA
Time: April 25, 2011, 11:37 am
[...] to incorporate that into their programming activities as well. We did a little research and found this fun recycled paper pod bead tutorial over at the Folding Trees site, and we used that project for our Earth Day activities:Our information table, staffed by the lovely [...]
Comment from Mallory
Time: April 25, 2011, 11:38 am
The New Orleans Craft Mafia recently used this technique to teach some local workshops – thank you for the tutorial!
http://www.missmalaprop.com/2011/04/new-orleans-craft-mafia-recycled-paper-craft-workshops-at-noma/
Pingback from Paper Bead Jewelry For Adults
Time: May 26, 2011, 5:31 am
[...] Not Your Usual Paper Bead [...]
Comment from Kristin
Time: June 28, 2011, 3:45 pm
How do you make the hole big enough? Mine is only big enough for a thin thread.
Pingback from Paper Pod Bead » unikatissima’s
Time: April 1, 2012, 2:02 am
[...] presented some paper beads before, these paper pod beads have the most interesting shape until now, as I find [...]
Comment from jennifer
Time: January 3, 2013, 7:08 am
at last !
a different type of paper bead
thnx a lot
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