If your teen looks like he needs a break from homework, or something to work on during the commercials of her favourite show, help show her how to make a paper bead-in just 20 seconds! She can make a short necklace or bracelet in only one evening, or a longer necklace in two. Plus, reusing your magazines is eco-friendly, because most magazines get only one reading.
What You Need:
❑ Old magazines ❑ Scissors
❑ Glue stick ❑ Knitting needle
❑ Ruler ❑ Pen
❑ Scrap paper ❑ Elastic cord
❑ Small container or zip-lock bag
What You Do:
- Make your teen look for magazine photos that are at least 6″ on one side. Small patterns or solid colours in complementary colours work best.
- Invite her to draw a long, skinny triangle that has a 1″ base and comes to a point at 6″. Cut it out.
- Now, make her trace around the first triangle to make the rest. She’ll need 7 triangles to make a bracelet, and up to 18 to make a necklace.
- When your teen has made enough triangles, instruct her to apply glue to every part of each triangle (except the base).
- Starting with the base of the triangle, show her how to wrap the triangle around a knitting needle and slowly wind it up. Make sure the point is glued down securely.
- Ask her to remove the bead from the needle. There will be a hollow centre for stringing the bead along.
- Make your teen make the rest of the beads.
- Next, make her cut about a 10″ length of elastic, or whatever length. She wants her jewellery to be. Allow a few inches extra to tie a knot.
- Finally, make her tie a strong knot (double or triple-knot it) and snip off the ends of the elastic. It’s ready to wear! Encourage her to wear the necklace to school, and wait for the compliments to come her way.
