One of the workshops at CREATE art retreat last week in Rosemont, IL was for making paper beads. It was the last day of the retreat and I knew I would be tired, so I signed up for something that would be fun and not require too much thinking. Many years ago there was an article in one of the magazines about making a paper bead tool with a hairpin and a dowel. My friend, Mary had her husband make several and I thought it would be great for making these beads. However, when I went to use it, it turned out to be more of a hassle than a help. I was having a challenging time getting the bead started. There is a product on-line that would work perfectly, however, it is $20. Sorry, but I am just not paying that much for a tool that rolls beads. So, I made my own out of a wooden shiskabob skewer. I cut into the skewer with my craft knife and it worked perfectly. I made a whole container of beads in minutes. Then, I covered them with UTEE. I tried the melt pot and got some fun shapes. I plan to make a pair of earrings from two of these beads. Stay tuned.
The above picture is on canvas from a workshop by
Julie Fei-Fan Balzer at CREATE. It was a quick workshop on using her technique for shading faces. The canvas was a little plain, so when I got home, I gave her some sparklies. I like it much better know and I will try the shading again on a different project.
One of the workshops at CREATE art retreat last week in Rosemont, IL was for making paper beads. It was the last day of the retreat and I knew I would be tired, so I signed up for something that would be fun and not require too much thinking. Many years ago there was an article in one of the magazines about making a paper bead tool with a hairpin and a dowel. My friend, Mary had her husband make several and I thought it would be great for making these beads. However, when I went to use it, it turned out to be more of a hassle than a help. I was having a challenging time getting the bead started. There is a product on-line that would work perfectly, however, it is $20. Sorry, but I am just not paying that much for a tool that rolls beads. So, I made my own out of a wooden shiskabob skewer. I cut into the skewer with my craft knife and it worked perfectly. I made a whole container of beads in minutes. Then, I covered them with UTEE. I tried the melt pot and got some fun shapes. I plan to make a pair of earrings from two of these beads. Stay tuned.
The above picture is on canvas from a workshop by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer at CREATE. It was a quick workshop on using her technique for shading faces. The canvas was a little plain, so when I got home, I gave her some sparklies. I like it much better know and I will try the shading again on a different project.
5 comments:
love those beads, Sandy. How do you coat them in the UTEE? I have never used it, but I love the effect it gives the beads--they look more polished (literally!).
There should always be bling and sparkle. The queen has spoken.
I haven't gotten around to trying drawing, you are so brave.
I turned some paper beads into earring years ago and still wear them; you will love them.
Don't know how I missed this.....you are doing a wonderful job doing your faces......I love the colors in the face.........you are definitely in an artsy groove.
I have not visited in a while but everytime I got ready to comment on a post, the next post caught my eye and I kept on reading! LOVE, love LOVE the Kelli book and the beads are wonderful! I bought a melting pot and 2 pounds of utee last time I was in the US and don't think I have used it once. Thank you for the wonderful ideas and want you to know I am still looking for that childs momma that was serving up the butt, lol!
Post a Comment