Wednesday, 01 August 2007

• How Artisan Paper Beads are Made

  Our handmade paper beads are extraordinary because we begin with colorful hand-painted sheets of paper, creating one-of-a-kind brightly colored beads. Iridescent glazes, metal leaf, organza ribbon, and fine glitter are also added to the design, making each bead a unique work of art. No two are ever alike!
  
  In addition, we create Poetry Beads with individual verses and quotations printed on them. poetry beads come in sets or are strung together to create a wearable poem.
  
  Here you will see how the beads are made in the Moontree Studio:
  
  

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  First, a large sheet of recycled brown paper is painted in an abstract color scheme,
  and iridescent paints, metallic leaf, and other embellishments and patterns are added to the design.
  
  
  
  As you can see, these are artworks unto themselves.
  They're so pretty, sometimes it's really hard to cut them up in bits!
  
  

  
  
  

   
  
  The house rabbit supervises from a safe distance.
  Beadmaking is serious business!
  
  

  
  
  Then the large painted sheets are dried, and sliced up into long, tapering strips of paper.
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  The paper is wound around a skewer, starting at the broad end and building up towards the smaller point.
  This is when the bead takes shape and the color patterns are revealed.
  
  

  
  
  
  The last few inches of paper are glued down, securing the bead.
  Many beads are made from one sheet of paper, resulting in beautiful and unique color schemes.
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  Other embellishments are added, such as additional strips of paper, scraps, or ribbons.
  The beads are also varnished to protect them from fading, and to add saturation and gloss to the colors.
  
  
  
  
  For Poetry Beads, individual verses are printed on gauzy transparent papers
  and adhered to the surface of the bead, then varnished.
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  Some beads are incorporated into original jewelry designs, or are sold individually or as part of a color set.
  
  If you are interested in purchasing any of our original artisan paper beads, handmade jewelry, or squares of art paper, please  feel free to Contact Us, or visit the Moontree Bead Etsy store!
  

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