African Trade Beads

African trading beads were made from a variety of natural and processed materials, such as bone, shells, wood, and minerals. Not all trading beads were made in Africa, but Africa was a central trading area for them. The continent was one corner of a triangular shipping route which included Europe, West Africa, and the West Indies.

Ornate beads were made from glass, which was heated, then wound around a metal wand in a spiral pattern. To make paper replicas of spiral beads, use Crayola® Scissors to cut very narrow triangles from colored construction paper. The wide end of each triangle will be the size of your bead. Make triangles as long as the paper.

Decorate your paper triangles with Crayola Gel Markers.

Beginning with the widest end, wind your paper triangle tightly around a toothpick, keeping the triangle centered as you go. Glue the point of the triangle to the bead with Crayola School Glue. Let the glue air-dry completely.

After the glue dries, remove the toothpick. String your beads on brightly colored string or yarn. Use smaller beads as spacers, or knot the string between beads for variety.