I grew up learning how to do different crafts, but because I love to handle beads and make necklaces, I finally just decided to try making my own. Of course, it was a learning process. I looked online for tutorials, and just did a simple Target cane. I wanted mine to look a bit tiger-ish, so I cut the soft polymer clay into several pieces, rolled them up, stuck a hole through the middle, and then set in the oven to bake.

This is how they turned out. They are not perfect, but for a first attempt at making my own, it is not too bad.

This is a simple candle and flower arrangement I made for my stepmother. She was thrilled with it. The candle was vanilla and cost only $2 from Walmart. The materials for the arrangment, including the lead crystal holder at the bottom totaled only $7.

It was something I made on a whim. When you cannot find something, make something…right?

I came across a most interesting website through Twitter via a tweet that @Jason_Pollock went through my personal stream. I was like ‘paper beads?’ Yes, I have heard of them, but it has been some time and I remember how I loved how they looked.

However, I also remember how I use to make them as a little girl using a pencil and paper and they were just one big mess. At PaperBeadGirl.com, they sell a utensil called The Paper Bead Roller (the patent is pending, as said on the website.) Now, I am thinking… that is a nifty idea!

It is one of those ideas you wish you had, but who cares… it exists now, so yay! It makes all those days fretting with normal beading because I remember the mess of making paper beads as a kid and teen, just waft away.

Anyway, the creator, Vicki Dehne (@paperbeadgirl on Twitter) gives a video demonstration on how to use The Paper Bead Roller and even has some wonderful purses and even displays some of the projects Vicki has completed using this method. It is actually a DIY crafters dream! If you love DIY stuff and bead making, you should visit PaperBeadGirl.com. It is a real inspiration. Perhaps in the future Vicki might even have some media or book tutorials of her own to share on the amazing stuff she has already created?