Plastic beads are commercial beads which are easily available and are low-cost beads for jewelrymaking. They can be used in a range of beading projects from the very simple to the complex ones.Plastic beads are used commonly in making children’s jewelry as they are safer and less easy to break. Many nice children’s jewelry is made of a combination of metal beads and plastic beads.Plastic beads are versatile and colorful and offer hours of fun for kids of all ages. Plastic pony beads are great for a fun-filled family activity night; they are great beads for jewelry out of craft wire, as well as for stringing on stretchy elastic beading cord.
My mother and I just started to make bead bracelets. We’re just doing it for fun and of course, to use them. The best part is you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a bunch of bracelets that will look great for summer and you chose the colors and pieces that better matches your style.
If your kids need a creative way to stay busy this summer this is a quick and easy craft idea:
How To Make Plastic Beads:
Items needed:
- Craft Knife
- Clean and Dry 16.9 – 20 oz. plastic bottles
- Scissors
- Permanent Markers
- Plain String
- Aluminum Foil
- Baking Sheet
- Store Bought Beads
- Clear elastic beading cord (craft store)
Directions:
- With the craft knife, cut the top and bottom sections from the bottle. Use scissors to cut the resulting cylinder into a rectangle. (Trim and discard any glue covered parts of the bottle)
- Cut the rectangle into half inch wide strips, following the curve of the plastic.
- Draw with permanent markers on the inside of curved plastic strips
- Roll each strip around a pen or pencil then tie a piece of string around the strip. Remove pen or pencil and place tied strips on a foil lined baking sheet.
- To set the beads, bake them at 300 degrees until the edges begin to soften (2-5 minutes). To see if they’re done, carefully take one bead out and slip off the string. If the bead stays rolled up they are ready. When the beads have cooled slip off the string loops and trim off any ruffled ends.
- Make a bracelet or necklace by alternating homemade beads with store bought beads on a piece of clear elastic beading cord.
