Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Recycle/Upcycle Toilet Paper Into Beads


This is a re-post from quite a few years ago, as a result of the pandemic.  

Let's get personal and talk toilet paper! Some of you may have a whole lot of toilet paper on hand right now!  

This is probably one of the easiest and cheapest crafts ever!  I used a sheet of toilet paper, white glue, and water to form jewelry beads. Let dry and then use a nail or drill to make a hole, paint, nail polish and/or use utee to decorate! 

Here's how: 

Take a sheet of toilet paper (I used Charmin),


and cup it in the palm of your hand, squeeze some white glue in the center and crumble it together. 

Wet you fingers with a bit of water and dampen the toilet paper and glue, squashing and swirling it between your palms . . . .  around, and around,  shaping it into a ball.


Imagine making meat balls .  .   .
For larger beads, place the ball on another sheet of tp, add glue and dampen the tissue as before, and shape into a ball.  Keep adding additional sheets, glue and water for larger balls.



If it gets a bit sticky, add a little water to continue rolling.

Place on parchment paper after reaching desired size bead and let dry overnight or if you'll impatient, use a blow dryer or place in a 250 degree oven for a while, til dry.  You'll find it hard, hard, hard after completely drying!

Use a drill or nail to make holes in the beads.

 Now here's the fun part . . . decorating the tp beads!

You can color the beads anyway you like, but have you ever heard of nail polish marble dipped beads? This is how I colored mine:

Take a bead and put a skewer through the holes on the beads you made. Using a glass (the nail polish might make holes in a plastic cup) of water, put 4-6 drops of each color of nail polish you like. The polish will float to the top.


 Immediately dip the bead skewer into the floating polish and take it out quickly.


  The amazing result is a pretty marbled bead.
If you need more coverage, dip the bead again after adding more nail polish drops.  If you wait too long to dip, the polish will get filmy and harden while floating on the water. And you don't want this.

After dipping, you can take a skewer and scoop the left over scaly polish out of the water and use the water, again and again.  After marbleizing the beads, let them dry completely.



Isn't this another fun way to recycle or upcycle!
Oh, and you can try another decorating method, too, if you want!

To take your tp marbleizing bead to a whole new level of shine, try dunking it in some ultra thick embossing enamel or utee for a glassy or ceramic look! How cool is this!

Just place the bead on a skewer.  Then roll it across a clear embossing inkpad to dampen. Quickly roll the bead in utee.  When the bead is covered with powder, use a heat gun and roll the bead around so that the utee melts evenly.  While the melted utee is still hot, dip the bead back into the dry powder for a second or third coverage coat and melt again using the heating tool, making sure the utee coverage is even.




It doesn't take long for the utee to cool off and look amazing with all the colors flowing together. 
 String on a simple ribbon or cord and WOW! 
Perfect for making a garland of beads!
Disclosure I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, this post may contain links. I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you! The affiliate money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!
 Each bead is a unique organic looking creation.  Kinda wonky, I think! 
No two are the same!
 What a great way to use up all that toilet paper and costs just pennies to make!

Take a little time to enjoy 
and
Happy Crafting!

22 comments:

  1. I love them! I can't believe you made those out of toliet paper...how cool is that! Thanks for the tutorial. I might have to give those a try one day. Until then I am just going to enjoy yours!

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  2. I have used TP and glue to make a paper clay, but never tried the beads. I do have a question. You will be amazed that I, the collector of all craft supplies, have not heard of utee. What is it? Thanks for that marbleizing technique.

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  3. wow this is too cool! I love the idea of making my own wonky toilet paper bead jewelry!

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  4. Wow Gail! You creations always amaze me. I would never have thought of making beads out of toilet paper. I like that they're wonky because they look like what they are... beautifully handmade.

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  5. OMG toilet paper! That is crazy! I never would have guessed it! Very cool! I would love to have you link it up to my Feature Friday Link Palooza!

    Danielle @ Blissful & Domestic
    http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/search/label/Feature%20Friday%20Linky%20Party

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  6. Wow Gail!! This is really amazing!!! I love your gorgeous necklace, it's so unique! You are so talented! Thanks for sharing!
    Hope you have a wonderful week!
    Hugs from Portugal,
    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  7. Interesting twist on paper mache nice mix of colours

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  8. First time I've come across this idea! Thanks for sharing! Lots of potential for this! patsy

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  9. Gail I need to move next door to you, I swear you're a genius!!! I am making these this week, I have been looking for large beads for my 4 year old to use and they're very expensive, you have just solved my problem practically for free!!!

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  10. Wow! Just fabulous! You are so very creative, Gail! This is such a great project with so many different applications, I saw your post over at A Stroll Thru LIfe's blog party. Thanks for sharing that project with us!

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  11. Gail, this is so creative - I love the fact that it is simple enough my granddaughter would be able to do it with me. Thank you for such a great tutorial. Pinning it for future use. Cathy

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  12. I have never seen these before...how fun!! I'm with Mel...i want to be your neighbor!

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  13. This is so unique! Thank you for linking up with us at Home Matters. Please come back Wednesday and share more of your creativity with us! Pinned it!

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  14. I am mostly looking for jewelry beads to make my own jewelry and I think it will bring the creativeness in me.

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  15. I laughed out loud when I saw this. Cleverest thing on the internet and certainly everyone should have a few sheets of, TP right?? I have all the materials, glue, etc and just may try this in the next few days. Clever!!

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  16. You come up with the so many creative ideas and crafts. This necklace is so cute. :)

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  17. Muy original, me encanta aprender contigo. No sabia como hacer esas bolas. Gracias

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  18. . This article is really very interesting and effective. I think you should also write an article about Private Label Skin Care Manufacturers

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  19. Thank you for sharing such a nice post. I love it so much. Check Tissue Paper

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