I make these paper bead earrings out of used nautical charts that have expired, so they have traveled the world! I hand roll the beads carefully and embellish each one with a nautical stopper knot at the bottom, the barrel hitch. You can choose the depths of the ocean, shallows or land.
Tough, water-resistant finish: Nautical charts are printed on tough material, and these paper beads are finished with an exterior grade, non-yellowing polyurethane that makes them very water resstant. They can be submerged in water for a few minutes and will not be affected. However, they are paper at the core, so they are not fully water proof.
I use hypoallergenic, stainless steel earring hooks for sensitive skin.