
Paper beads are a great way to keep on crafting when you can’t get out to buy supplies.
There is no doubt we are living in the most difficult times that most of us born since the last World War can remember.
Yesterday into a town near where I live. I was forced to go out to deal with an urgent banking issue and had to venture into town.
It would normally be packed with people just before lunchtime on a Friday but the scene that met me was very eerie.
We are all living in very worrying times, times that many people are finding extremely hard to deal with on many levels.
Crafting is one way to try and stay occupied and keep our minds off this awful situation that worrying will not change.
So I have been trying to think of ways people can craft if they don’t have everything they need.
One of the projects I came up with is making paper beads without a bead rolling tool.
As you may know, I designed a paper bead rolling tool many years ago and have been selling it online and at my classes for a long time.
My tools and templates do make paper bead making much easier, if you are in a position to get them now.
Uk readers can get my paper bead supplies here.
US readers can get them here.

But what if you don’t have the tool for rolling paper beads?
And what if you are in a situation where you can’t get one now?
Can you still make paper beads? The answer is a resounding YES!
If you want to make paper beads but you don’t have the tools or paper to make them, watch my YouTube tutorial.
You will be surprised at how easy it is to make paper beads with two household items you probably already have.
And if you don’t have a template, you can still measure out long triangles on the paper and cut them out. Where there is a will there is a way!

Our main craft stores in the UK are closed as they are not considered essential.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/rainbowlane
https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/rainbowlane
I’m not sure I understand the thinking behind that, especially as stores selling alcohol, (or Off Licences, as they are called in the UK), are.
It’s a very strange situation when, during a national crisis with most people like prisoners in their own homes, alcohol is considered more important than the very art and craft supplies that could keep people from going quietly mad in isolation.
Escapism through art/craft is much healthier than using alcohol.
I just don’t get it.
Keep busy everyone – crafting is a great form of meditation because it helps us forget the world for a few hours.
Hope you find my paper beads YouTube video useful in developing ideas for crafting without many supplies – see you next week.