Bead Buddies

Creativity is a vein that runs through my entire existence, whether I like it or not. In my free time, when I'm not doing paid creative work, I'm usually still engaged in some form of creative activity. Like, I can't escape it. So for me, the lines between work and play are often blurred. 

gathering supplies

Recently, I spent time with my five-year-old niece, and at her request, we did "art stuff". But if we're being frank here, had I been the one to choose, I would have probably chosen a creative activity, too. We could have baked something, planted something, or built something, and that would have satisfied both our need to just make a thing. 

drawing lines to cut

This day we cut up lightweight food cartons to create chunky beads. I showed her the tools and cartons I had collected, then explained the steps. I did the trickier parts, and before long, she was rolling her own paper beads.

 

We were both pleased with the result. While I've rolled my share of paper beads over the years, I had never done any using heavier cardstock like this. The resulting beads were colorful, chunky, and fun. We will be making some fancy things with our new beads. 

If you're interested in a detailed tutorial, here's the one I watched by DIY All Things on YouTube. I'm a subscriber on her channel, where she shares some great tips and tutorials. Check her out!