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!
• 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:

• 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.

Templates:

• 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).