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DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Paper Bead Keychains

A cute retro look for your backpack.  We just used old magazines, but if you wanted something a bit more color coordinated you can use gift wrap or other colored paper.

Materials:

  • scrap paper:  here are some ideas
    • we used the paper that flower bouquets get wrapped in (yes, I keep everything), 
    • used gift wrap
    • magazine pages (glossy ones with lots of pictures and little writing.
    • even construction paper will work!
 paper bead keychains
  • something long and round to wrap the beads around:  -- younger children will need something fatter  (so the beads have a big hole) and older children can use something as thin as a toothpick.  Here are some ideas 
    • a pen or pencil
    • a bamboo skewer
    • a toothpick
    • a knitting needle
    • a straw
        
  • glue (we used a glue stick, but regular white glue works too)
      
  • scissors
      
  • OPTIONAL:  clear (or fairly light) nailpolish
      
  • string, wool or ribbon (it has to fit through the hole in the beads so must be thinner than the long and round base you've chosen)

 

INSTRUCTIONS - Making Paper Beads:

  • To start, you'll need to make some beads for the cross.  
    • Make 3  one-inch beads and 1 two-inch bead.  
    • don't get too fussy... just have the kids make a bunch of beads and then pick out the ones that make a nice cross.  
    • any leftover beads can be threaded onto the necklace part of the cross necklace (sort of like a rosary) or can be used for a different necklace
        
  • Cut out long triangles from the scrap paper.  
    • They should be at least 11 inches long (standard paper size), but can be bigger.  
    • They should be as wide as you want the bead (so a one inch bead would have a one inch edge).  
    • We just estimated ours and cut them out freehand, but if your children are at the age where they are practicing ruler use, have them measure it out!

  • we used a skewer as our base... you can use a straw, knitting needle, etc.  I'll use the word skewer through the remainder of these directions to mean whatever base you've chosen.
      
  • apply glue to the back side of the triangle (don't apply glue to the beginning 1/2 inch or so or else your bead will end up glued to the skewer and you won't be able to pull it off
      
  • starting at the wide end, wrap the triangle around the skewer all the way to the point.  The triangular shape of the paper will give you a tapered bead.  If you use a long enough piece, your bead will be almost round.
  • OPTIONAL:  apply a coat of clear (light) nail polish.  Although this is optional, it does make the beads shinier and a bit more sturdy.
  • set your skewers over a bowl or glass (so the beads are suspended in the air) to dry

INSTRUCTIONS - Assembling the keychain

cut 2 or 3 lengths of wool (about three times as long as you want them).  

Loop the wool around the keychain ring so both strands hang down equal lengths

Tie a knot in the bottom (or tie a small plastic bead or button on the bottom)

Thread your beads on, leaving space in the center.

Tie another knot (or thread another button or bead).

   

Printable Version of these instructions