Saucer beads can be quite tricky to master when you first get into making paper beads.

I tried all sorts of ways but then I found the best way to make saucer beads of all different sizes is to use the layering process.This works best of all for me.

To make the necklace you see above, I used an old 12 x 12 inch sheet of scrapbooking paper I had laying around. I cut it into quarter inch tapered strips and then layered them to get a variety of shapes and sizes.

Saucer beads of varying sizes can add shape and design to a necklace.

I designed this necklace on paper before I even made the beads, so I knew what shape the necklace would be. Using the saucer beads gives the necklace a focal point.

Having one larger one in the centre, followed by two smaller ones on either side and then two even smaller ones breaks up the line of the necklace.

Saucer beads are much easier to make if you have the Easy Beady paper bead tool.

One of the reasons I designed and made the Easy Beady paper bead tool was because I struggled to make paper beads that were of a consistent high quality.

The first very basic implements I made to roll beads, back in the mists of time, were from bamboo skewers, but they often dragged the middle of the beads out when I tried to pull them off the stick.

Large beads made with very narrow strips were very difficult to master using a bamboo roller and I experimented over the years with lots of different ideas using a stainless steel shaft with various wooden, plastic and paper handles.

But the only part that mattered the most was the stainless still shaft which made my paper bead making so much easier.

Saucer beads, while still fairly tricky, are much easier with a bead tool. My tools is available to buy on Esty. You can find them by clicking here.

The paper bead tool comes in two sizes – the 5mm and the 3mm.

The 3mm Easy Beady gives a 3mm threading hole for using with finer stringing materials.

You can go straight to the Etsy listing by clicking here.

The 5mm tool gives you a 5mm threading hole through your beads which is ideal for making Pandora style paper beads (also known as European style beads) which usually get threaded onto heavier weight stringing materials such as leather, or snake chain bracelets.

You can find the 5mm paper bead tool by clicking here.

With this  paper bead tool and some practice, you will be making brilliant saucer beads to make gorgeous jewellery to wear or give as gifts. 

If you have any questions about saucer beads or any aspects of paper bead making, please contact me via the contact form.

I do hold paper bead workshops in Suffolk where I cover everything from the very basics for beginners to more advanced techniques such as layering for making saucer beads.

If you would prefer to have a go at making saucer beads on your own or live too far away to attend a workshop – just order the paper bead tool or any other of my paper bead supplies by following the links above.