Create Sparkling Felt Roll-Up Beads for Jewelry

Felt fabric is usually reserved for simple children's crafts such as finger puppets and storyboard characters. However, it is possible to use felt, and several other materials, to create fabulous, sparkling beads for stylish jewelry. Indeed, these beads would make wonderful children's styles, but they do not have to be limited to that.

Materials

1. Multi-colored felt fabric scraps
2. A knitting needle or other thin item
3. Embroidery floss
4. Gold or silver metallic floss
5. Seed beads
6. Beading thread and needles
7. Tacky craft glue

Rolling the Beads

The first step in making the felt roll-up beads is actually rolling the felt. You must first cut small rectangles of felt in the length that you want the finished bead to be. Of course, this project lends itself to large sized beads. A good length is one half to one inch long.

After the felt is cut, you will begin to wrap it around the knitting needle. After the first round is made, apply a thin layer of glue to the inside of the felt and keep wrapping. You do not want glue to get on the knitting needle, as that will be removed. Let the rolls dry thoroughly and then slide off the needle.

Decorating the Beads

Once the felt roll beads are completely dry, you will want to decorate them. For this you may use complimentary colored embroider floss, thread, metallic filaments, or other narrow trims. Simply wrap them around the felt tubes in a spiral or haphazard fashion. Be sure not to wrap too tightly, as this will collapse the hole through the middle.

You may also like to wrap the felt beads with strings of delicate seed beads for an extra sparkly look. Simply string the beads on a monofilament line and stitch them onto the felt roll up bead securely.

Using the Beads

These beads can be used for a wonderful effect in any handmade jewelry that requires large beads. They look very good with smaller beads as spacers between them in necklaces, bracelets, and even earrings. Having a matched pair of these felt roll-up beads hanging from gold or silver french ear wires, will make an attractive pair of earrings.