BeadedPensClass

SAMPLES: There are five beautiful samples ready to view.

SUPPLIES:
* Cheap package of BIC or ROSEART pens (I get them at Walmart for about 10 for $1.20)
* Double sided sticky tape in a sheet
* decorative paper or Magic Leaf (I use scraps of marbled papers, tissue paper, wrapping paper etc.)
* Clear Faerie glass or very tiny clear beads
* clear water based sealer (Liquid laminate, Envirotek work, but I just use a cheap water based sealer made for acrylic paints)

INSTRUCTIONS:
   Remove the ink filler from the pen and set it aside.
   Cut a piece of double sticky tape the length of the barrel of the pen and wide enough to go all the way around the pen, with a little bit of overlap. I usually make a template with a piece of printer paper and just trace around that.
   Peel off one side of the paper backing.
   Cut a piece of your decorative paper the same size as your double sticky tape, and apply it to the exposed side of the tape.
   Peel off the other paper backing on the sticky tape and lay it down on a flat surface with the side your decorative paper is on, facing down and the sticky side facing up.
   Lay the pen down on top of it, lining up the end of the pen with the end of the tape, so they are even. Then roll the pen onto the tape, or the tape onto the pen, which ever is easier.
   Cut another piece of double sticky tape the same size as the first one you cut.
   Peel off the paper backing on one side and again lay it down on a flat surface with the sticky side facing up.
   Lay the pen down on top of it, lining up the end of the pen with the end of the tape, so they are even. Then roll the pen onto the tape, or the tape onto the pen, which ever is easier.
   As you do this, the other paper backing on the sticky tape will probably come off. That is OK, cause we will have to remove it anyways.
   Try not to overly touch the sticky tape, or it will lose some of it's stickiness.
Applying the beads.
   It is best to do this in a shallow box top, or the beads kind of go everywhere but where you want.
   I like to use clear Faerie glass, because they are so tiny and they stick better than bigger beads. I just pour the Faerie glass or beads into the box top, then place the pen with the double sticky tape exposed in the beads, and roll it back and forth until the pen in completely covered.
   Take the pen out of the box top and roll it back and forth between the palms of my hands, to make sure the beads are stuck on to the pen good.
   Now you just need to seal the pen, to make sure the beads stay on, when you start using it.
   I have a big jar of some water based sealer for acrylic paints. I just put the pen on one of those roach clips on a stick and dip it into the jar of sealer. I let the extra drip off, and then leaving it on the clip, I set it aside to dry overnight.
   You can also apply the sealer with a paint brush if that is easier.
   The next day I replace the ink filler and I have a beautiful beaded pen. (Just throw the little cap for the pen away, you can't put it back on the pen without making beads come off.
Variations
Instead of using decorative paper, you can apply Magic leaf or foils to the pen, before you apply the clear beads.
Any questions? Please contact Michele