Even as a child I have always had a love for jewelry and have made jewelry since 2008. When I saw the process of making pendants and beads out of paper I found it absolutely fascinating and could not wait to try my hand at making them. It’s a long process and takes about 2 1/2 days from start to finish.

I find that using regular scrapbook paper yields the best results. I then choose the template shape that I want the pendant to be. There are 10 graduated patterns in each template. By placing 4 pieces of paper together you cut all 10 patterns. The pieces are then stacked and glued starting with the largest to smallest. It takes about 5 hours or overnight for the pendant to dry before it is sanded with an emery board and Dremel. It’s very unlikely that any 2 pendants would turn out the same even when using the same paper. Three layers of thin cardboard are then cut, glued, sanded, painted and then glued to the back of the pendant. A whole is drilled in the top of the pendant and threaded with fishing line for dipping in a clear topcoat solution. Wire wrapping is then done for the bail.

I use a paper cutter for making the beads. By cutting different widths and tapering the cut all different sizes of beads can be made by rolling the paper on a tool. I roll 4 cuts of paper to make one bead using glue to secure the end. Once this is done I place the bead on a shish kabob stick, place the stick in florist foam and let the glue dry about an hour. Then I put 3 coats of clear topcoat solution.

Once I’ve completed the pendants and beads, I string them using colored & faceted glass beads to complete the ensemble; giving them a little bling. Hope that you find this process as amazing as I have. ~