Materials And Supplies

colorful magazine covers ;

24 round toothpicks

Elmer's Glue-All or white library paste ; colorless nail polish

1 yard strong heavy thread ;cardboard

Tools

pair of scissors ; pencil darning needle ; ruler

Figure 67. Magazine Cover Beads.

These colorful beads can be made to harmonize or contrast with the color of a garment. They have an Indian or African appearance when completed. The cost to make them is negligible.

Procedure

1. Cut a triangular pattern one inch across the base and eight inches long out of cardboard. Mark the pattern on the magazine cover with pencil and cut out twenty-four triangles. The necklace in the photograph used twenty-four beads making it twenty-four inches long. This is generally long enough to go over the head without a clasp.

Place the colorful side face down of the first triangle. Spread a small amount of paste for about three inches at the pointed end, and just a dab of paste at the base. Wrap the paper triangle carefully around a toothpick beginning with the base and ending with the point.

Figure 68. Working Detail of Magazine Cover Beads.

Hold the point in place until the paste holds. Repeat this process until the desired number of beads has been made.

2. ;Allow the beads to remain on the toothpicks. Holding the toothpick with one hand, brush colorless nail polish over each bead with the other hand. Stick one end of the toothpick into any convenient article such as a rubber sponge, piece of clay, or art gum eraser, and allow the nail polish to dry. A second coat of colorless nail polish may be applied if desired after the first one is completely dry.

3. ;When the beads are thoroughly dry, remove them from the toothpicks. String them on strong, heavy thread using a large eye darning needle. Tie the ends of the thread together securely and clip them close to the knot. Slide the knot inside one of the beads to that it will not show.