Beadmaking 101

Lesson 2: Natural Materials

Potato Beads

Did You Say Potato Beads?

"Okay, so the beads aren't really made from potatoes are they? I mean that wouldn't really work would it?"

The idea of making beads out of a potato may sound crazy the first time you hear about it, and admittedly, it probably still sounds crazy the second time. However, potatoes can indeed be used to create long-lasting beads that are just as durable as any other beads on the market.

If you're still skeptical, take a look at the example shown here. Though the beads appear to be made from pieces of turquoise, I can assure you that they have been made from 100% Idaho spud.

Common Questions and Concerns

So, now you've seen how attractive potato beads can be, but if you're like most people, you still may not be sold on the idea of wearing a potato around your neck. Let's address some common concerns that people seem to have about potato beads.

Q: Don't potato beads give off a funny odor?

A: While you might expect potato beads to smell, this is not the case. Since the bead making process requires drying out the potato, any potato smell is gone by the end of the drying process.

Q: Don't the beads rot over time?

A: No. Since the potato beads are completely dried out over the period of a week rotting is not an issue.

Q: Aren't potato beads much more fragile than other beads?

A: Potato beads really aren't any more fragile than glass beads. You should be able to wear them just as you would any other piece of jewelry.

Now that we've addressed any concerns you may have had about potato beads, let's get on to the fun of making them.

Step-By-Step Instructions

The process of creating potato beads couldn't be any easier. To get started, you will need a medium to large sized baked potato, a potato peeler, some wooden skewers, a Styrofoam cone and a knife.

Once you have gathered all of your supplies, begin by peeling the potato. Next, cut up the potato into half-inch pieces. Note: It's a good idea to alter the shape and size of the pieces slightly for a little variety.

Once that step is complete, poke the potato chunks onto the wooden skewers, leaving a little space between each one. Then, push the skewers into the Styrofoam shape to allow the potato pieces to dry.

Allow a week for the beads to dry fully before continuing the project. (Note: It is also a good idea rotate the beads one or twice during the drying process to prevent them from sticking to the skewers.)

--This project was originally featured on HGTV's TIPical Mary Ellen, episode TIP-1102. To view the original project instructions visit: Turquoise Potato Necklace --

Decorating the Beads

Once the beads have dried, it's time to decorate! Any color of acrylic paint can be used for this purpose. In the example shown above, I applied turquoise paint to the entire surface of the beads, and allowed them to dry. I then went back and brushed on black accents here and there to simulate the texture of turquoise.

To create faux coral beads, try brushing on a coral colored paint or experiment with a variety of other color possibilities.

Whatever color you choose, it is a good idea to seal the beads with a decoupage medium before stringing them.

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