I love making simple necklaces out of beads (evidence here) and often have my crafty friends over to work on jewelry projects. This garland would be perfect decor for a jewelry crafternoon but it’s so bright and graphic it could work for just about anything. These mega versions of my favorite seed beads come together quickly using whatever paper you have on hand. If you love stringing beads together this will be right up your alley!

You will need: various colors of letter sized cover weight paper, glue stick, bone folder, craft knife, Japanese screw punch, scissors, and string or twine

To make triangular beads:
Step 1: With the bone folder and ruler, score a piece of paper 1/2″ away from the edge on three sides (two long sides and one short). Then score two more lines, the first one 3″ from the 1/2″ score line on the short side and the next one 3″ away from that. Then cut off the remaining paper 3″ away from the last line you scored. You should now have three sections that are 3″ wide, with a 1/2″ section on three edges.
Step 2: To create the tabs, fold along the score marks and snip out the corners.
Step 3: Fold the box into its pyramid shape and glue together on the long side.
Step 4: Trace the triangular end of the box onto a contrasting sheet of paper and cut out two triangles.
Step 5: Use the screw punch to punch a hole in the middle of each triangle.
Step 6: With the glue stick, attach the triangles to close off the bead.

To make the round beads:
Step 1: Score 1″ away from each long edge of the paper.
Step 2: Fold along the score line and cut 1/2″ tabs all along the scored sections.
Step 3: Roll the paper into a cylinder and glue closed on the long side.
Step 4: Cut two 3 1/4″ circles out of contrasting paper and use the screw punch to punch a hole in the center of each.
Step 5: Glue the circles onto the ends and string up your beads!