Homemade beads

For our Friday messy kitchen homeschooling project, we decided to make our own beads. We have been focusing on Africa for the last few weeks and have enjoyed researching many different types of African art. We learned that beadwork is an important African art form. We created the beads this week and will work on painting them next week. And I imagine that some lucky family members may see a bead or two show up in the form of a Christmas gift.....

Bead Recipe

• 3/4 cup white flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup salt
• warm water
• toothpicks
• acrylic paints
• sealant

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add water a small amount at a time until the dough holds together. Knead for a few minutes. Make beads by rolling different sizes and shapes of dough, then poke a hole through the middle with a toothpick. Allow to dry overnight. Paint and seal.