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Homemade bead crafts are swiftly growing in popularity as the demand for new, artful fashion and decor increases. A new twist on a timeless craft is beginning to emerge: sand beading. With a few simple ingredients and a little creativity, you can fashion your own grainy gems in no time!

The ingredients for a successful batch of these ornamental beads can be purchased at any craft store; all you'll need is sand and white glue. For added dazzle, you may also include glitter or water-based paints. Everything else you'll need is already in your kitchen: a measuring cup, an empty plastic container, a toothpick, and a fork complete the recipe. Once you've put it all on a piece of newspaper or paper towel for easy clean-up, you're ready to get started.

What to do:

Using your fork, blend one cup of sand and 1/4 cup of white glue together in your plastic container. If you choose to add glitter or paint, now is the time!

Pinch off a small piece of your sand and glue mixture and roll it into a ball between your fingertips. It doesn't have to be symmetrical; you're the sculptor - shape it however you'd like!

When you're satisfied with the shape of your bead, it's time to pick up the toothpick. Be sure to hold the soft bead carefully while applying gentle pressure to the toothpick. If your mixture is too soft, the hole will collapse, but it's a simple fix - merely add a little more sand to the blend and try again.

Leave your completed beads on the newspaper or paper towel you've been using for a workspace. After several hours, the beads will be completely dry and you'll be ready to string them to create trendy new jewelry of your own!

When you've mastered the technique of round beading, it's time to expand your horizons: most baking supply stores carry miniature cookie cutters, which can be laid on waxed paper and packed with the same sand mixture you used for the spherical beads. Remember, though, you've got to let them set for twenty to thirty minutes before taking them out of the mold - they need to be firm enough to hold their shape, but soft enough for you to poke a hole through for stringing. Miniature cookie cutters can be found as small as one inch and make fantastic accents when alternated on a string with ordinary, round beads.

These delicate treasures can be used for any number of homemade crafts; whatever their purpose, enjoy letting your creative impulses take over by creating your own unique sand beads!

Learn more about this author, Angie Papple.
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