Discover how to make paper beads from repurposed maps and create unique bracelets and necklaces. An upcycling project that’s easy, fun, and eco-friendly!

Old road maps are one of my favourite things to upcycle and repurpose. I often repurpose maps for home decor crafts but occasionally use them to make jewellery.

In the past, I’ve made world map necklaces using broken eyeglasses. This time I’ve used old maps to make a personalized bracelet.

Using Road Maps To Make Paper Beads

Old road maps are great for making paper bead jewellery for several reasons.

1. Firstly, the maps make the jewellery more interesting and personal. If you use a road map of somewhere special, this instantly gives the item sentimental value.
2. Secondly, old road maps look great; they come in many colours. The road patterns on the old maps translate into interesting patterns on the paper beads.
3. Thirdly, old road maps are a very affordable and environmentally friendly source of craft paper. Most of my old road maps are from elderly relatives, but they can also be found cheaply in thrift stores. Road maps go out of date, and most people use sat navs these days, so there is a plentiful supply to repurpose.
4. Finally, road maps are often printed on high-quality paper and on large sheets. Making them perfect for so many paper crafts, including bead making.

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What You Need

• Old road maps – You will be able to make a lot of beads out of one road map. This will be enough for a few bracelets and necklaces. Choose a map for the colour and patterns or use a special map.
• High tack glue
• Rotary cutter and mat
• Size 4mm knitting needle or something similar
• 4mm coloured eyelets/grommets
• Elastic string and darning or upholstery needles (with a large eyelet).
• Crystal clear lacquer
• Wooden skewers

How To Make Map Paper Beads

The cut of the paper strips determines the shape of handmade beads. The paper is cut into long triangle-shaped strips to make more rounded beads. For this tutorial, I made simple cylindrical paper beads.

Step 1: Cut the road map into strips. Once you have chosen, I used a rotary cutter and mat. I cut 20 strips of paper, each 2.5cm (1″) wide and 30cm (12″) long.

Step 2: Next, take one strip of map paper then wrap it tightly around the knitting needle. The knitting needle’s size determines the hole’s size in the paper bead’s centre. I used a 4mm knitting needle to fit the 4mm eyelets.

Secure the end of the paper strip with high-tack glue.

If you don’t have high-tack glue, you might need to clip the paper with a bulldog clip until the glue dries.

Step 3: Carry making map paper cylinders; each bracelet will need about 20 paper beads. Then stick a 4mm coloured eyelet/grommet into each end of the bead.

Step 4: To give the paper beads a glossy finish, brush them with crystal clear lacquer. The quickest and less messy way is to place the beads on a wooden skewer. Then rest the skewer on a tray. Use a brush to apply the lacquer.

Other varnishes can be used to coat the beads, such as Mod Podge.

How To Make The Map Bracelet

Step 5: Next, measure the circumference of your wrist. Then lay out all the map paper beads and measure them. You want the strip of paper beads to be the same size as your wrist.

My medium-sized wrist needed 20 map paper beads for my bracelet.

Step 6: Next, cut a length of elastic string about 1 meter long. Thread both ends of the string onto large-eyed needles. Using elastic string makes taking the paper bead bracelet on and off easier.

Step 7: Secure one of the map paper beads to a flat surface with some white tack. Then thread it with the elastic string. Make sure that the bead sits in the middle of the elastic.

Step 8: Next, thread the needle on the right-hand side through the bead to the left-hand side. Then, thread the needle on the left-hand side through the bead to the right. Then, pull the elastic string tight so that the threaded beads butt up next to each other.

Step 9: Carry on adding the map paper beads one by one.

Step 10: After adding all the map paper beads, thread the needles through the first bead again. This will turn the strip of beads into a cuff. Simply tie off the string and cut away any excess.

Tuck the string knot into the bead hole for a neater look.

How To Make A Paper Bead Necklace

The same paper bead method can make a cool map necklace. To make a necklace pendant, make four paper beads in decreasing sizes from 4cm to 1cm in width.

Then thread the beads together in the same way as the map cuff above. But this time I use a nice coloured twine. The twine is part of the necklace, and the threaded beads are pendants.

Both the map bracelet and necklace would make a lovely gift, especially if you use a map somewhere special.

Road maps are great for upcycling into personalised map-themed gift ideas. I’ve repurposed my old maps into beautiful map roses and cool faux map paper moths. Maps have also been sewn into fun heart treat bags and used to make cool map rock keychains.

I’ve even used my road maps to make personalized map wall art, including a pet portrait and map angel wings.

For more upcycled jewellery ideas, check out these avocado pit button jewellery, denim bracelet, denim earrings and scarf necklace. The scarf necklace upcycle includes a tutorial for denim beads.

You’ll find more DIY bracelet ideas here.

I also used paper beads with this paper lantern tutorial.