There’s something about rubber beads that gets me every time. Maybe it’s the texture... soft, slightly squishy, a little matte. Or maybe it’s the colors... bright, almost cartoonish, unapologetically playful.
They take me straight back to childhood. To macaroni necklaces and lacing cards. To wooden beads the size of gumdrops, strung on yarn with knots the size of your thumb. There’s a simplicity to them that feels like recess, like summer camp, like learning to make something with your hands for the first time.
I didn’t think much about them until one of our kind supply-swappers started bringing bags or containers of them to our Craft Café. The first time, I scooped up a container without much thought. The second time, I took them all. And now I’m basically on bead patrol every month, just in case another batch shows up.
There’s just something joyful about them.
A Closer Look
Rubber beads are usually made from soft silicone or plasticized rubber, materials designed to be durable, washable, and safe for kids to use. That’s part of their charm. You can drop them, step on them, squish them in your pocket, and they’re still fine. They’re often used in toddler crafts and chew-safe jewelry, but I think they’re totally underappreciated in the world of adult-making.
I’ve been exploring using them in keychains, playful jewelry, zipper pulls, and even mixed-media pieces. They work surprisingly well in contrast with more natural materials, layered against wood, cotton cord, or fabric scraps. A little neon rubber mixed with linen? Very satisfying.
But... What About Sustainability?
Of course, like a lot of mass-produced craft supplies, rubber beads come with baggage. Most are made from synthetic materials and not easily recyclable. They're cheap, cheerful, and everywhere—which is part of the problem. It’s easy to overlook their environmental impact when they feel so small, so harmless.
So what do we do with that? For me, the answer isn’t to swear off rubber beads entirely, but to be more intentional with how I source and use them.
Some thoughts:
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Creative reuse first – I’ll take secondhand rubber beads over new any day. There are already so many out in the world, and swapping them keeps them moving.
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Use them well – I try to make things with staying power. If I’m using rubber beads, it’s because they bring joy, texture, and color to a piece—not just because they’re there.
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Explore alternatives – Could similar shapes be made from reclaimed materials? Could someone 3D print them using plant-based filaments? I haven’t cracked the code yet, but I’d love to experiment.
Why They Still Matter
At the end of the day, rubber beads remind me of why I started crafting in the first place: to play. To follow color and texture wherever it leads. To make something delightful from something simple.
They’re not perfect. But they’re oddly powerful. And for now, I’m grateful to the supply-swapper who keeps bringing them, and for the tiny, joyful pause they add to my practice every time I string one on.
P.S.
If you’ve found creative ways to reuse rubber beads—or alternatives you love—let me know. I’d love to keep the conversation (and inspiration) going.
