Window Screen Beads by Eco Heidi Borchers

I am always looking for ways to reuse, repurpose and recycle old materials. I really like this idea by Eco Heidi Borchers for Cool2Craft. She used old window screen to create these unique beads. What a great way to add an unique cool touch to your bead stringing projects. 

Heidi discovered over 30 years ago the versatility of crafting beads with metal window screen. It’s fun and easy to create these by the dozen and string into bead strands.


I also think this is a great way to get kids excited about beading. They love doing things that are different and out of the norm. 

She also created this how to video to show you exactly how to make the window screen beads. 

Window Screen Beads by Eco Heidi Borchers 

Materials

Metal window screen
Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue
Scissors (I use dollar store scissors)
Knitting needle
Hair dryer (optional)
Toothpick
Straight pin – long enough to pin through side of bead and into box
Cardboard box
Acrylic paint (I used silver metallic)
Paint brush
Beads (various sizes including sizes to fit inside window screen beads)
Jewelry beading wire, closure, crimps, jewelry pliers

1. Cut pieces of metal screen into rectangles approximately 1-1/4? x 2?. (Adjust size to suit your design needs.)

2. Lay screen on worktable. Place knitting needle along shorter edge and begin rolling to wrap the screen around needle. Wrap as tight as you can and keep the edges straight as you roll.

3. Pull bead off needle. Because the screen is metal, the rolled bead should hold together nicely.

4. Apply a line of Aleene’s Tacky Glue to all cut edges. This will help to seal any rough points. (Hint: you can use a hair dryer on low setting to help glue form a skin to avoid excess drips.)

5. To suspend the bead while the glue dries, poke pin through side of bead and press it into side of box. This will keep the glued areas from sticking to anything while the glue dries. If glue begins to drip, just use the toothpick to wipe away the drip. Repeat to create additional beads. Let glue dry until clear.

6. When glue is dry, check cut edges to be sure that all sharp wire points are completely covered in glue. If needed, add an additional coat of glue and let dry.

7. Slip dried bead onto end of knitting needle and brush over entire bead with acrylic paint. Some paint will stick into the window screen openings. Let dry completely.

8. To string window screen beads, you can slip smaller beads onto beading wire. Slip the window screen bead onto the wire and slide over the smaller beads until they are “caged” inside the wire bead. Add a large bead at each end of wire bead to hold everything in place continue beading until desired beading design is achieved. Finish with favorite jewelry closure.