How to: Beads out of Paper Mache -- Type 1

Ingredients:
Un-glossed Paper
A Pot
Some Water
A Spoon
A Bowl
Elmer's Glue
Wooden Skewers
Sandpaper -- Medium to Fine Grit
Acrylic Paint & a Paint Brush
Clear Varnish or Clear Nailpolish



Step 1:  Shred your paper.  Smaller pieces make smoother beads.
Step 2:  Boil Some water in the pot.  You'll want about a 3:1 ratio.  So, if you have one cup of paper, use three cups of water.
Step 3:  Once the water is boiling, add the paper.  Stir constantly.  You wouldn't want your paper to burn to the bottom of your pot!
Step 4:  After about two minutes, turn off the heat, but keep stirring.  Stir for about another three to five minutes or so.  You want your paper mache to break down as much as you can before you get tired.
Step 5:  Drain off as much water as you can.
Step 6:  Time to transfer it to the bowl!  As your transferring your wet paper mess, squeeze as much water out of it as you can with your hands.
Step 7:  Add glue to your paper.  You want enough glue to make your paper want to take a shape, but not so much that it'll be so wet that it will just fall apart. 
Step 8:  Form your beads.  You can roll them into balls with your hands, or press them into a chocolate candy mold to make pendants <if you do this you'll need a drill to put the holes in>.
Step 9:  Set beads aside to dry for about 30 mins.  This will allow them to hold their shape once you put them on the skewers.
Step 10:  After they've had time to set, skewer them with the wooden skewers.  Leave the beads on the skewers to dry the rest of the way.  You may need to re-shape them a little, but it should be fine.
Step 11:  Find a place where they can dry suspended in the air somehow.  I like to open up a drawer and set the skewers across it.  <Just make sure no one closes the drawer>  This will make it so that they won't have a flat part.  If you can't find a place to set them, it's fine.  Just put them on some wax paper, shiny side up.
Step 12:  Dry Overnight.  For a variation, you can bake them on an un-greased cookie sheet at 200 degrees until they're dry <Usually about 30 minutes or so depending on how big you've made them>.  You'll know they're dry when they don't squish anymore <Just be careful not to ruin your beads>
Step 13:  Remove the beads from the skewers.
Step 14:  Sand like the dickens!  The heavier the grit, the more paper will be taken off at a time.  Fine grit will make them very smooth, but you have to sand for a very long time.
Step 15:  Paint!  You can immerse them in the paint to coat the entire bead very quickly, or you can use a brush to make little details.  Let them dry again.
 Step 16:  Cover with Varnish or Clear Nail Polish.  A spray varnish works very nicely in coating evenly, and making them look shiny.  If using a nail polish, paint until covered.  Is this really necessary?  YES!  It will make your beads mildly waterproof, more durable, and longer lasting.  Don't forget to varnish the hole also, if you can.  Let dry again.

TADA!  Ready to use, eco-friendly beads.