PAPER BEADS AND ORNAMENTS

After making dozens of paper flowers Kusudama style, which is not Origami,I attended a bead-making workshop at the McColl Center for the Arts + Innovation.The resident artist Ruganzo Bruno from Uganda taught the big audience how to cut paper  and roll it producing beautiful beads. He told us about the women and children in his village who make these beads. Watch this video about a group of widows in Northern Uganda. What a wonderful source of income and a perfect way to re-use old paper. 

After the workshop I did go home filled with enthusiasm and produced a few beads. I really did not get much pleasure from the process...

Colorful beads of  different sizes + paper strips

I use them as accessories for my other creations. Last week, my granddaughter made this beautiful picture. Cutting geometrically perfect strips ties me down to a table and a ruler...

BUT, in the mean time I made hundreds of beads.I disregarded the ruler, just eye balling the size. 
I take a hand full and let them slide through my fingers, what a pleasurable feeling! 

Not too long ago I finished a five strand necklace. How do you like it?

my necklace

Beads, coil and rolled paper mounted on simple cardboard

Ruganzo Bruno, invited us to look at a display table, and it was there where I found my real inspiration. beautiful spheres rolled from paper! I have made dozens in all colors and sizes, they are not perfectly round, but very beautiful, creative and whimsical. 

I have sold some, given away others and decorated my home with artistic arrangements. 

During my months of convalescence from a knee replacement I used this activity as therapy. Stacks of old magazines helped me to make hundreds of rolls. Some ornaments are made of one color in different tones and designs, while others are just multicolor. There is never a specific plan, your hands are the instruments, but the outcome is determined by the paper. 

My show piece is this one

A glass cylinder filled with multicolor coils, dry branches from my yard, ornaments hanging at different heights. 

I am selling these little treasures in a small craft paper bag, ready to give away as a Christmas present. (It is never to early to find a stocking stuffer for your loved ones.) 

Usually I stay away from plastic, but it was too tempting not to decorate this ornament with pearls...

Writing this blog fills me with renewed enthusiasm! It is important to share my experience with people near and far.

My next post will feature some unique necklaces I created during one sleepless night (I had many, after surgery). I am sure you will like them...

Until then!