African Trade Beads
![African Trade Beads CIY Poster Frame](/-/media/Crafts-New/Poster-Frames/1600x900/African-Trade-Beads.jpg?h=900&la=en&w=1600)
Kids learn about African history and geography as they create beautiful necklaces, bracelets, and ankle bracelets. Wear them everywhere!
Supplies:
- Crayola Construction Paper
- Crayola Markers
- Toothpicks
Steps:
1 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.
2 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.
3 Decorate your paper triangles with Crayola Gel Markers.
4 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.
5 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.