Paper Bead Strip Template

Paper bead strip template launch day is here! Along with instructions for a brilliant DIY bead rolling tool!

Attention all paper bead makers – my all new paper bead strip template is here!

(Please note – there are free printables for you at the end of this post.)

As promised I am launching my new paper bead strip template and it is now available on etsy.

And I also have a new video out showcasing it, along with instructions on making a DIY bead rolling tool.

More about the DIY tool further down this post. It’s BRILLIANT!

My old, thinner, white paper bead strip template has now been retired after long and faithful service.

Many people have used my original paper bead template over the years but it was time for change.

Over the years, I have made changes to the paper bead making tools I manufacture and sell.

And the changes have always been because of my desire for a feature my old tools and designs didn’t have.

The one thing I craved from a paper bead template was that it be clear so I could see through it.

I wanted transparency so I could see where I had drawn my previous strip when I was about to draw the next one.

Being able to see that made sense to me so the strips could be as close together as possible without overlapping.

I also wanted a more robust material than my old white templates were made of.

This was important to me because I longed to have a template with more choices of strip sizes.

My old template only had four choices of strips and they were all tapered.

I longed to have some straight strips too in various sizes on the same template.

The old thinner templates I was selling would not take having eight apertures cut into them.

They would have buckled with so much material cut out of them.

Some years ago, I did produce the exact template I dreamt of – it was clear plastic and it was 2mm thick.

This meant my new paper bead strip template did not buckle, even with eight apertures cut into it.

It was perfect and I really enjoyed using it.

Sadly, there was no way of me producing it back then at a cost low enough to offer it to other paper beaders.

It was labour intensive to produce and the material was very expensive.

So I continued selling my original template.

It wasn’t perfect but it was functional, affordable and light enough to send all over the world without postage being too high.

Fast forward to 2024 when technology has moved on – things have changed!

I now have the capability to produce these templates at a much more reasonable cost.

So I am now offering my new, clear plastic, 2mm paper bead strip template in my etsy shop.

It’s a few dollars more than the thinner, opaque one I used to sell, but my goodness it’s worth every penny!

It’s so easy now with the transparency of it to see exactly where the strips are drawn.

(It looks milky white in the package because it has a removable protective film on front and back.)

It’s great for maximising use of whatever paper you are using to make your beads.

And it’s lovely to work with because it’s thicker, which makes it more stable when you are drawing around the template openings.

So if you are interested, do go and have a look on etsy and see what you think.

So that’s the paper bead strip template – now for the DIY bead rolling tool!

As you may know, I have been manufacturing and selling paper bead rolling tools for many years.

However, the time has come for me to stop as I am busy doing other things now.

People are still contacting me asking for my tools and so I decided I would not leave people high and dry!

I decided to show you how to make your own tools using the same pin that I used in mine.

That slotted pin is the most important thing to have, because that is what catches the paper so you can roll it tightly.

In the distant past, I used toothpicks, knitting needles and crochet hooks to roll beads, but I didn’t get along with those things.

Back in the 70s when I first started making paper beads, I was hopeless at it!

I could not get the hang of tucking the end in using a toothpick!

And that is how my original paper bead rolling tools were born.

I needed something to catch the end of the bead strip and stop it from slipping.

And I did not stop until I found the answer, which was the slotted spring pin.

They are used in engineering and as I grew up in an engineering household, I knew about such things!

Over the years I have changed handles a few times but my last ones went back to my original design.

And I know people have loved them – I’ve sold lots online and at my workshops.

But it’s just not something I want to make anymore.

And as many of my older videos still say I sell them, I decided to pass on my knowledge and links to the components so you can make your own.

That way, I can put screen cards on all my old videos directing people to my new one.

And, people looking for my paper beads tools can easily make their own instead of buying mine.

And then I won’t feel guilty for not selling them anymore.

Unfortunately, it will be too difficult for most people to make them using the wooden file handles I used.

The pins need to be shot in under pressure and they need to go in dead straight.

So I have found alternative handles for you that I love so much, I’m using bead tools made with them myself!

So if you haven’t already watched my video showing just how simple these 3mm and 5mm tools are to make – watch it now.

It’s just a question of slotting the pin into the handle and screwing the collet chuck tight to hold it firmly in place.

The video also shows me using the new paper bead strip template.

Once you have watched it, you will want to know where to buy the needle file handles I use.

They are not they easy to come by with exactly the right sizes of collet chuck you need for the spring pins I use.

But this UK company, SLEC UK has them and they fit the 3mm and 5mm spring pins perfectly.

Although they are a UK company, they have told me they will send orders to the USA and worldwide.

These handles are actually meant for small needle files but they work perfectly with spring pins too.

Just click on the links in the caption of the photo showing the finished red handled bead tools.

You will need to order the spring pins separately – I will put the link to them further down.

I have no affiliation with SLEC UK and will not receive any compensation if you buy handles from them.

So now for the spring pins you will need to make your paper bead rolling tool.

The links to buy the spring pins are in the captions under the pictures of them.

I am an Amazon Affliate and if you buy the above spring pins from them, I will receive a very tiny commission.

And finally – some free printables for you!

As regular readers will know, I give away FREE printables with every post.

And so here are the ones for this week. They are available for download from my Google Drive in JPG and PDF. The link is in the caption under the picture of the printables. Please read my very few Terms and Conditions of use – thank you.

These will be perfect for using with my new clear paper bead strip template! Just sayin’!

Thank you for reading this post!

If you want access to all my past free printables click here

if you want to ask questions, you can leave a comment under the YouTube video and I will reply.

You can also talk to me on FaceBook or Instagram.

And I’d love to see you on Pinterest.

Have fun making your paper bead rolling tools!

If you are really enterprising, you could even sell them ;-).

See you in my next video when I will have a paper bead rolling hack for you.