c. 2007 Religion News Service
(UNDATED) 1. Collect a variety of church bulletins and inserts, particularly those with color and pattern. It usually takes three to five bulletins to make enough beads for a necklace. Cut at least 36 strips, about 5 inches long, tapered from one-half inch at one end to one-third inch at the other. (Try to cut so the color or words you want are on the tapered end of the strip.)
2. Moisten the wide end of the strip and roll paper tightly and evenly around a tapestry needle. Lightly glue on the thinner, loose end to create the bead, and roll between fingers until the glue dries. Slip it off the small end of the needle.
3. Place the bead on a toothpick and place on a firm surface.
4. Take a small brush and coat the bead with Mod Podge, a glassy sealer available at craft stores. Stick the toothpick, bead upright, into a wedge of Styrofoam and let it dry one hour. Apply a second coat of Mod Podge and let stand one hour.
5. Holding the end of the toothpick, dip each bead briefly into clear fingernail polish and let excess run off into bottle. Place back in Styrofoam to dry. Then repeat.
6. Using fine quilting thread, string beads with a small clear, gold, silver or other color store-bought bead between them. Tie thread securely using three knots. Secure every four beads with two knots. Allow enough thread (at least 20 inches) so the finished necklace can easily slip over your head.
KRE/PH END KEMP
(SIDEBAR to RNS-BULLETIN-BEADS)
