| Handcrafted Paper Beads and Recycled Bead Jewelry - Since I started making these beads no piece of paper goes unnoticed. Upon seeing necklaces made out of recycled paper, by African women, in a catalogue at Christmas a year ago, I thought, "I can do that". And that is how Re-Beads began.
I began by using magazine covers. Then I noticed wrapping paper, brown paper bags, envelopes, brochures, flyers restaurant placemats: anything made of paper. I needed ready-made beads to include in the necklaces and I realized that old, broken bead jewelry presented interesting possibilities, and that thrift shops offer all sorts of cast-off jewelry that can have a rebirth in my jewelry. I confess to supplementing my bead supply with some purchased beads. But I try to use as many recycled items as possible to create the look for which I'm striving. By now I've rolled thousands of beads and made hundreds of necklaces. But, I'm still learning and evolving and getting pleasure in creating something that is both attractive and eco-friendly. |
