closeup of rolled paper beads on a blue background

Your personal photos are as valuable as any precious stone, so why not turn them into keepsake jewelry! Paper beads are fun and easy to make, and they are a perfect project to make while streaming your favorite show. Spend some time picking out your favorite photos, print them, and turn them into paper beads from photos.

MAKE PAPER BEADS FROM PHOTOS

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE PAPER BEADS

rolled paper beads on bracelets leaned against a printer

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Color printer
Digital photos
Glue stick
Toothpick
Nail polish or other clear sealer
Bracelet form

flat lay of craft supplies on a white table

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Visit the Mad in Crafts Amazon Storefront to learn more and to buy your own supplies!

HOW TURN PHOTOS INTO PAPER BEADS

Watch this video or scroll down to the instructions below to see how to make your own paper beads. I have hours and hours of crafty videos on my YouTube channel, so hop over and check them out!

Making Paper Beads from Your Photos

Printing your digital photos.
Begin by sending your photos to your color printer to print on standard printer paper. Colorful photos sized to 8.5″ x 11″ work best.
Cut the photos into triangles.
Trim off any white edges, then cut the paper into long, thin triangles.
Rolling paper beads.
Lay one triangle image down on your work surface. Run a glue stick over the top (unprinted) side of the paper. Beginning at the wider end of the paper triangle, tightly roll the paper around the toothpick.
Sealing paper beads.
When you have reached the end of the triangle, coat the paper bead with clear nail polish. Slide the bead off of the toothpick and onto a plate. Allow the nail polish to fully dry before handling.