How to Make a Beaded Card

A beaded card is easy to put together using seed beads, a plain card, and your own imaginative design. You can make the card as complicated or as simple as wished, and the beads will do the rest of the work for you. In this article, you'll be taken through each step to producing an original and effective beaded card with the simplest of effort. The design example used for this tutorial is but one of any number of designs you can make up, including other flowers, trees, animals, patterns, and even basic landscapes or portraits.

Note: The dimensions suggested in this tutorial are able to fit a standard envelope upon completion. Naturally, you're not restricted to that sizing.

1. Collect the materials. These are listed below under "Things You'll Need".
   
   
2. Choose a piece of colored paper to make the card. Using the ruler, draw a rectangle from the card measuring 8.25" (21 cm) x 5.5" (13.5 cm). Cut out the rectangle with the scissors, and fold it in half so it forms a card with a surface measuring roughly 4" (10 cm) x 5.5" (13.5 cm).
   
   
3. Choose another differently-colored piece of paper to form the front of the card. Measure this piece into a 3.5" (8.5 cm) x 5" (13 cm) rectangle. Cut it out.
   
   
   • Glue it onto the front of your card. Make sure it is centered, so that an even border of the first colored paper (the card) shows right around it evenly.
4. Measure a third piece of colored paper into a 3.5" (8.5 cm) x 5" (13 cm) rectangle. Preferably, this is a light-colored piece of paper to ensure that your writing will show up on it.
   
   
   • Cut out the rectangle.
   • Attach it inside the card, again leaving an even border around the edges. This is where you will later write your message.
5. Decorate the card once it is assembled. Lightly sketch the design you want to create on the front of the card in pencil. As you're designing the card, consider where you want the seed beads to be applied; for example, if you only want beads in certain parts, designate the areas.
   
   
   • If you want to solidly cover an area in beads, it's best to start at the center of each design element, and work your way out.
6. Start applying the seed beads to the design. Once you're happy with the design, start adding the beads to it, bit by bit.
   
   
   • Squeeze a very thin line of glue over the pencil lines of the design. Cover about an inch (2.5 cm) of its length.
   • Apply the beads onto the glued area using your fingers. Use the toothpick to help shape or move beads into place as needed. Be sure to have each bead sit on the card with the holes visible from the top.
7. Continue to cover the design areas set aside for the beads.
   
   
   • Work the design in parts or areas, so that you're not dragging your hands over glued areas. Once an area is coated with beads, move on to the next one with the glue, and then the beads.
   • Continue adjusting any parts of the design as you go; sometimes new design additions will appear to you as you're working on the card.
8. Allow the card to dry thoroughly before writing anything inside. Write your messageinside and place in an envelope for completion.
   
   
9. Finished.
   
   

• A line of beads looks best, but you can cover solid areas too.
• If your hands get too sticky, use a toothpick, or rinse the glue off your hands. Be patient – this craft requires gradual effort.
• If you're not planning to mail the card, you can decorate the envelope too. A few matching beads near the opening of the envelope will complement the design of your card.
• If you don't have any design ideas, try:
  • A moon and stars,
  • A heart with radiating lines
  • A swirl
  • Stripes running across the card, or
  • A burst of dots radiating from the center.
• You can even write words with the beads, for example: "Thanks!", and add a matching beaded border.

• Avoid applying too many beads, or the card risks becoming too thick and heavy to mail.
• Do not apply too much glue at once; it might dry before you have a chance to cover it with beads.

• Seed beads (these are small beads roughly the size of sesame seeds); the colors can be varied
• Three different colors of paper (one should be sturdy paper for forming the card (cardstock), but the other pieces need not be and can be printer paper if wished)
• A standard card envelope
• Craft glue
• A toothpick
• A pencil
• Scissors
• A ruler