Count Down to Earth Day: 39 Days

I'm bringing you one recycle craft idea each day until April 22nd.

Today's Idea: Paper Mache Beads





 Paper mache "turquoise" nuggets, my design

I love working with paper mache.  I used to work with polymer clay.  One of my problems with polymer clay was that the chemicals in the clay are toxic.  You need a dedicated oven just for your clay unless you want to poison your family.  Paper mache can't replace polymer clay.  I'm not suggesting it has any of the same qualities, but there is something wholesome about it.  It's just recycled paper and flour paste.  Of course there are more elaborate recipes you can follow, but they don't really improve the finished product when you're making beads.

 

Paper mache beads, drift wood and chandelier crystal, my design

 

An easy way to make paper mache beads is to start with shredded office paper.  This paper needs to be broken down into pulp.  You could leave it to cook down on the stove for several hours, but that's not very eco-friendly.  Instead, when you're getting ready to wash a load of clothes in hot water (also not very eco-friendy.  I only do this when something is extremely soiled), throw in a batch of shredded paper.  Here's how you do that without ruining your machine or your clothes:

 

Take an old pillow case.  Stuff it with shredded office paper.  You don't want to completely fill it unless you're planning to make a ton of beads.  Gather the top of the pillow case and  wrap it several times with some sturdy string or twine and tie in a tight knot.  You do not want this to come open in the wash!  Run it through a normal cycle.   

 

 







Faceted paper mache beads and drift wood, my design

 

When you pull your pillow case from the washer, throw it right into the dryer.  Double check that your string is still tightly tied.  After it's been washed and dried, your pulp is ready for use, or you can save it to use at a later date.

 

Paper mache, felt and wood beads.  My original design.

 

To make beads, empty your paper pulp into a large bowl.  Mix up some flour paste.  This is not an exact science.  Here's what I do.  Take a microwave safe bowl and fill with about a cup of tap water.  Heat on high until it just reaches boiling.  Handle with care, bowl will be hot!  Take some flour (white flour works best for a smooth paste) and sprinkle about a tablespoon into your bowl of boiling water while stirring briskly with a fork.  This will start to thicken.   Add small amounts of flour at a time until you get the consistency of pancake batter.  If you make it too thick, thin with a small amount of water.

 

Allow your paste to cool slightly.  Put on a pair of rubber dish washing gloves (or not) and add about half your paste to your paper pulp.  Get your hands in there and start working it around and squishing it up like you're making meatloaf, (or for my fellow vegetarians, lentil loaf.)  This part is not an exact science either.  Work in enough paste that it holds together when you squeeze it into a ball.  Make it too wet and it's hard to work with and will never dry; not wet enough and your beads won't hold together. 

 

Handmade Old Gold and Green Rustic Paper Mache Beads by Renee

https://www.etsy.com/shop/studioRenee

 

Now shape your beads.  You can't roll this type of paper clay between your palms the way your can polymer clay or ceramic clay.  You have to kind of pack it together like making a snowball.  When you get all your beads shaped, carefully poke a hole in each with a toothpick or wooden skewer.  Put your beads on a cookie sheet or tray and space them so they aren't touching.  Find a warm place to leave them to dry for several days.  A sunny window or near a heat vent would be ideal to speed up drying time.  Turn your beads once a day for ever drying.

 

Once your beads are completely dry, it's time to paint them!  You can seal them with a water based polyurethane for protection.  When that's dry, they're ready to be turned into marvelous jewelry!

 

Handmade Copper and Aqua Paper Mache Beads by Renee

https://www.etsy.com/shop/studioRenee

 

I hope you've found this tutorial useful.  Stop by tomorrow for another recycle craft idea.