You’ve probably noticed a trend on this blog… I like to recycle. I use recycled materials in many of my projects, and I always have several old pairs of jeans lying around. Kids grow like weeds, and boys are especially hard on their clothes, so there’s always some worn out denim not worthy of the donation pile. I’ve seen denim beads before, nothing new, but I wanted them to be colorful.
I’m all about color. Color makes for great crafts, especially for kids.
Tween girls will love this project, so if you have one you may just want to give this a whirl. This could be really fun for a girl scout troop too!
I made these beads for Michael’s Craft Stores via DecoArt. Michael’s carries a line of paint called Craft Smart. You’ve probably seen it in the paint aisle. Plenty of colors available and they cost less than most. If you are crafting with kids, this is an ideal paint for creating with them.
After cutting your denim rectangle, iron it out. Then you’ll cut it into strips.
Mix your paint with fabric medium according to the bottle directions. Paint each strip a different color. Paint the back sides too.
Cut the strips into thirds. Wrap the strips around a toothpick, gluing as you go.
You can make bracelets, necklaces, keychains, earrings, and even artwork. Instead of stringing the beads, Glue them onto canvas to create fun designs. Use your imagination and have fun!
Colorful Recycled Denim Beads
Supplies
Craft Smart paint colors:
- Apple Tart
- Light Orange
- Yellow
- Pale Blue
- Lavender
- Rosy Posy
Other Supplies:
- Craft Smart fabric medium
- Denim 6"x8"
- Paintbrush
- Hot glue gun
- Toothpick
Instructions
- Trim denim into a 6" x 8" rectangle, iron if needed, then cut into six 1"x8" strips.
- Mix the fabric medium with the paint according to the directions on the bottle.
- Use paintbrush to coat one strip with Apple Tart. Do the next strip with Light Orange and continue until you have one strip of each color.
- Turn the strips over and paint the other side.
- When dry, cut each strip into thirds. You should end up with 18 thin strips all together. Now cut each of those strips in half. You will have 36 strips measuring approximately 1/3"x4" each.
- Wrap the denim around a toothpick, hot gluing in segments as you go. Glue the end well. Slide off the toothpick and repeat for all the strips.
- Cinnamon Ornaments - December 9, 2025
- Waterless Snow Globes - December 5, 2025
- Deco Mesh Poinsettia Flower - December 2, 2025
BARBARA CALFEE says
Oh, Amanda! How I love your creativity! I have a special little 6 year old cousin who flies from Los Angeles twice a year [pretty long flights] to visit all of her Ohio relatives. I try as best I can to pack a little “project” package that is mailed to her California home that she can bring on the plane to help her get through the boring stretches during the flight – then when we visit a sneak another one to her Mom who will give it to her for the return flight. Well, one of this summer’s packs is going to include already made denim beads and 3 shoe strings so she can “bead” a necklace for herself and her Mom and a bracelet to match her necklace. She’ll go WILD for this – I just know it!! Thanks so much for the idea.
Amanda Formaro says
Oh my gosh Barb, that’s such a sweet, thoughtful and fun idea!! You are so sweet :) :)
Karen Dion says
These would be great for colorful placemats. Weave them into rectangles, bind them to a backing material with enough extra around the edges to fold over as edging.
Amanda Formaro says
Fun idea!
Buffy says
These are so totally COOL! Thank You Amanda for sharing such a unique idea for denim! We save all kinds of denim for crafting and love making small things like these…easier to have finished or put away before the Papa gets home. He too loves that we use items that are recycled, such a $ saver AND we are saving the planet in our own ways!! :) Love You Girl!
Buffy
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Buffy, so glad you like them! Hope you have fun making them! :)
Mary says
Love these! Another spin would be to divide 4 or 5 inch squares into 8 triangles, cut apart then rolled big end to small end like paper beads just to give a little variation.
Amanda Formaro says
Great idea Mary!
Vicki says
These are really cute. Just stumbled them. :)
carouseloffantasy says
Awesome idea! This is what I call “creativity”. Good work! ;)
Michelle L. says
So adorable! I love the painted effect. Great upcycle!
Amanda says
Thanks Michelle!
smitha says
Superb…
dacraftylady says
Oh can I be a tween again??? Love this project. :)
Amanda Socci says
I am a total recycled crafts junkie. I love, love, love this terrific idea about using recycled denim to create beads for jewelry. Great usage of fiber arts. The quality of your photography is outstanding. Really makes the tutorial come alive!
Amanda socci
Amanda says
Thanks so much for the compliments Amanda!
Taryn says
I love this soo much. I just had to add to it a round up I did a few days ago on taking outworn, outdated clothes you find during spring cleaning and give them new life! Shared it here.
http://pinsandprincesses.blogspot.com/2012/04/whats-in-your-closet.html
Amanda says
Thank you for the link Taryn! Glad you liked it :)
Jennifer says
That’s pretty cute! I never would have thought of using denim like that. Thanks for sharing your tutorial. :)
Amanda says
Thanks Jennifer!
Kelly says
These are amazing, Amanda! What an awesome idea! I’ve seen plenty of paper bead tutorials, but none for denim beads! If you’re interested, I’d love to link to this tutorial on our site AllFreeBeadedJewelry.com, directing readers back to your blog. I think they would love it. Let me know! Thanks for sharing!
Kelly Spence
Editor, AllFreeBeadedJewelry.com
[email protected]
Amanda says
That would be great Kelly, thanks for the link love! :)