Comments on: Paper Quilling Jewelry Experiment

By: Joybelle Malcolm

Joybelle Malcolm — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 15:35:02 +0000

I make tons of paper beads including quilling. My favorite go to is simple clear nail polish, I have used Mod Podge, and wood varnish. I cannot swear to any product but the clear nail polish simply because it works as an all around perfect coating and the sheen is just lovely. What I don’t like about the nail polish? I cannot find it in larger bottles other than the standard size and it saddens me 🙁 (smile).

Initially, I use one coat of the three finishers and the last coat is another clear nail polish application. I was overwhelmed with all the beads I make and detested the idea of coating in bulk. Then one day the light bulb went off in my head and so now I coat my paper beads according to the number of beads I am using in each piece of jewelry I create.

Alicia, think it’s trial and error, plus personal choice! Test out the waters…

By: Alicia

Alicia — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 06:03:14 +0000

Thank you! 🙂

Yes, these earrings are definitely sturdy enough to hold wire and some beaded elements.

Tamara, there are lots of tutes online for making paper beads. Once you figure out your favorite way to create the beads you can experiment with different papers, textures, finishes, shapes….you name it.

I actually made my own bead roller with a bamboo skewer I split down the middle, but when I decided I wanted to create paper beads to sell I got rolling tools to speed up the process and make it a little easier on my hands.

Pat, I don’t want to name the varnish here because it’s against the comment policy, and I didn’t really like it, but if you do a Google search for “varnishing quilled items” you will find it. It’s sold specifically for quilled projects, but I think it’s very similiar to those thick doming resins.

I like regular artist’s varnish (polyurethane) for my paper beads so I may try one thin coat on my quilled pieces versus the three coats I use on paper beads.

Rena, I have not tried Mod Podge yet. I do want to try the matte Mod Podge to see if that might get the look I want with the sturdiness and water resistance.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 03:00:47 +0000

In reply to Pat. Alicia, related to Pat's question, have you experimented with Mod Podge on your paper beads or paper-quilling jewelry?

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 02:00:09 +0000

Bula Alicia…..very creative idea! Wondered if you can share
what product you use to get that hard glossy look on your paper beads?
I also make them but use clear varnish or sealant …..which doesnt quite give the effect that you have on the quilled beads above??

By: MyCarolAnne

MyCarolAnne — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 18:42:32 +0000

I love your design. I also have thought about paper jewelry, especially quilling, but how to protect it for wearing always seemed to be an unanswerable question. When you perfect your way of finishing, perhaps you could share with us. Keep up the great ideas. Good luck with your quilling designs,

By: Tamara

Tamara — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 13:25:29 +0000

It’s neat to see what techniques you’re working on, Alicia. I like the idea of incorporating the paper designs, and it is so neat to combine two loves into one piece .

I’ve thought several times that I would like to make paper beads. Maybe a tutorial sometime on how you do yours? 🙂

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 11:16:23 +0000

This is an interesting experiment, Alicia! Love the colors, and the earrings have a cool modern-art feel. Plus I’m sure they’re wonderfully light weight to wear. And I love the quilled loop at the top of each earring to accommodate the earwires.

Although I do like the glossy look on these earrings, I can so relate to that feeling of regretting a final touch on a creation – where’s an undo button when we need one? 🙂

Also, just curious – does the finish make the paper sturdy enough to add elements such as wire wrapping on the quilled paper?

I hope to see more of these as you continue developing your technique! Thanks for sharing this project!