The second project is done in much the same way. I painted a smaller piece of Masonite with pearlescent acrylic paints: a gold first, when it was dry a dark violet across the top and bottom, then a bit of magenta streaks in sky and water. Allow to dry.

Now squeeze some white craft glue in a somewhat triangular shape in the center of your painted board.

Choose beads for buildings arranging them to suit with some taller ones toward the center and shorter ones on either side.

Allow glue to dry and finish with a spray of fixative. Fast and easy!

What will we do with all these lovely paper beads?
Of course jewelry is the a common thought when it comes to beads, but lets start with something different.
To make a free form star design you will need:
1.A background board.
2. white craft glue
3. scissors to trim bead if necessary.
4 Spray fixative.
(I used a small piece of Masonite 5”x7” gessoed white, a piece of card board or matt board would also work. Prime it with gesso or acrylic paint..)
Use a ruler to find center by drawing in two lines from corner to corner diagonally.
If you wish, paint the board a co-ordinating or contrasting color to the beads you will use.
Begin arranging and gluing beads using the X you drew as a guide. What you place on one side do also on the other.
I used some small seed pearls, and assorted glass beads as well as two buts of copper and a couple of stone chips.

Paper beads

Colors call me. I can look at page after page in a fashion magazine without noticing the styles, but taken in by beautiful color and texture. This happens when the seasonal catalogs start arriving too. Husband says “into the fire starter crock”, I say “Just a minute.”
I tear out sheets of ads with interesting color and color combinations and put them in a file folder. If they outgrow the file folder before I get at them they might migrate into a box.
Paper Beads
The right time comes and I get out a n acrylic cutting board for a work surface, a pair of sharp scissors a bottle of craft glue and some metal turkey trusses. The latter are used for forming the bead. Any long firm wire will do. A small knitting needle, etc.
At first I used templates to cut the bead shapes but found that too exact, and too time consuming. I just cut long thin triangles. About1 to 1 1/2 inch at the wide base and narrowing up to a point from 3-4 inches long.
First fold the wide end of the triangle around the metal form to get started , then make a couple of rolls. Now squeeze a little glue from about the middle of the triangle to the tip. Continue to roll the bead all the way to the tip, keeping the roll tight and firm. At the end, smooth the tip and set aside to dry.
Finished beads can be given a shine with a little glue water glaze, or Future acrylic floor finish. The finish can be applied with a brush or you can dip the bead or beads. Allow to dry in a place where your kitty can’t investigate and shed on them.
In the evenings when the TV is on one can make dozens of colorful beads before one is aware!
Here is my recent stash.

I'm smiling

Because I am excited about this new Blogsite and what I want to do here.


An art project a day.


Clay

polymer clay

beads

paint: acrylics, watercolor, pastels, mixed media

matting, framing

paper arts

paper making

fabric

found objects

wood carving

doll making/art dolls

jewelry

glass

recycled art

computer art

book art

hints and helps

patterns

designing

Are you ready?