How to Make Beads Using Potatoes: This Spud is for You!

Many people have heard of beautiful beads formed from paper or polymer clay, but did you know you can make sturdy and exceptionally beautiful beads using raw potatoes? I was shocked and pleasantly surprised when my friend showed me a beautiful bracelet she made from ordinary glass beads and painted beads made from potatoes.

Being an amateur jewelry maker I usually use glass beads or polished stones purchased from Michael's, and they aren't exactly cheap. Using raw potatoes was completely new to me, and after looking at the finished product I knew it would be a great way to save money on jewelry making materials. Once beads made from potatoes are painted and decorated, they look nothing at all like cubed raw potatoes, and no one would ever know!

Procedure

Begin by cutting raw peeled potatoes into ½ inch squares. Thread the potatoes onto thin metal skews, wires, or on round toothpicks, and be sure to leave space in between each piece. At least once each day, turn the potatoes around on the skewers so they don't stick during the drying process. After several days the potatoes will be completely dry and almost as hard as ordinary store-bought beads. They'll look grayish in color, but you'll be able to paint and decorate them with latex craft paint and other embellishments of your choice.

Decorating Tips

After beads made from potatoes are completely dry, cover their gray exterior with latex craft paint of your choice. You can mix the paint to match the color of genuine turquoise, and add some marbling to make it appear even more realistic. Alternately you can paint your beads made from potatoes to look just like polished stones or glass beads.

Lightly sponge on a top layer of another color for an interesting layered look. The options for decorating are virtually endless when painting beads made from potatoes. Best of all, your family and friends won't believe you used potatoes to make your beautiful beads!