Recycled Paper Beads from Junk Mail

The inspiration for this idea came from two different websites: pintalalluna & astorybooklife. Combining their directions I came up with this method for making paper beads. We'll be using these, along with store bought wooden beads, for our first of the year MOPS craft.

Step 1: Shred hated junk mail

my 3 year old's
photography skills

 



Step 2: Place in large pot and cover with boiling water (as I poured in the boiling water I was able to add more shredded paper) These two pots (my largest) held about a shredder and a half. A stock pot would be better! lol

BLENDER METHOD: 
Step 3: Cover and let sit for an hour. Stir occasionally to break up the paper fibers.
Step 4: use a blender to further break down the paper.

Step d: drain as best as possible
Step 6: Add enough plaster of paris to create a firm consistency.

Step 7: Roll into desired size balls, squeezing water out as you go.
This step was pretty messy. I kept a Tupperware bowl next to me to squeeze the water into.

Step 8: Drill holes. Yep, DRILL, the plaster is pretty tough and trying to push a nail through it only broke the ball. Screw and drill it was.
Optional Step: If balls seem rough to the touch, smooth with sand paper
(I skipped this step ONLY because we will be coating these with tissue paper and Mod Podge. If we were painting them I would have sanded them.)

Step 9: Decorate!
Click here for the tutorial from Art Mind on how to decorate.

Here are a few of the recycled balls I decorated last night. Not sure where they'll go...they look so fun just by themselves!

            





I didn't take any pictures with my camera decorating the recycled beads. Click the link below to see one I took with my phone at our MOPS meeting.
Click here to see my post on decorating beads at our MOPS group.

NON-BLENDER METHOD:
Step 3: allow to simmer for several hours, stir or use a hand blender periodically to help break up the paper.

Step 4: drain

Step 5: add plaster of paris and mix well

 The best part of this method is that there was less water to squeeze out as I rolled the balls. The draw back is that it takes FOREVER for them to dry. Unfortunately I wasn't able to use the balls from this method of the MOPS activity because they weren't dry enough.

Step 6: roll into balls and allow to dry. 

Step 7: drill holes

Step 8: OPTIONAL, sand rough edges if you plan on painting them or want a more smooth finish

Step 9: Decorate!

(which I still haven't done. now that they aren't needed for MOPS I'm going to hang onto them and see what other purposes I can come up with.)