Simple Steps On How To Make Hemp Jewelry

2011
06.01

Hemp jewelry is well loved because it’s all natural and has a comfortable feel. They are actually very simple pieces, made of a certain kind of twine, knotted to form various patterns and designs. The durable twine can be formed into practically any kind of jewelry – from necklaces, anklets, bracelets, and others. So if you are interested, read on and learn about simple steps in how to make hemp jewelry.

The very first step in how to make hemp jewelry is that you need to do is get all the materials together. The most basic item you’ll need is the twine. Twines can come in various shades but the natural tan color is still the most popular. The usual twine used for jewelry making is the 1mm twines but thicker threads can also be used for chunkier jewelry pieces.

When shopping for the thread, make sure that the twine has an equal thickness all throughout. Find smooth pieces with the least amount of lumps because these can mess up the symmetry of your design. For additional decor, you can add in various colored beads and precious gems as well.

The first technique that you need to learn in how to make hemp jewelry is the basic knots. Cut up 4 separate twine threads and line them up side by side to make four columns. For the first knot, fold the right outermost strand over the two base strands and place it under the left outermost strand. Once finished, fold the left outermost strand under the base strands and through and over the right outermost strand the same way you would make a simple knot. Do the second knot, this time, by folding the left outermost strand first, using the same procedure used with the first knot.

For those of you who want a little more color, you can string beads through the base threads, which are the two middle threads between the leftmost and the rightmost twines, fastened between each knot. You can space the beads nearer to each other by simply making two or three knots before stringing on another bead. You may alternatively string them further apart by making a lengthier knot between each bead. There are actually many other knots and techniques that you can use for hemp jewelry making. Most of them can easily be obtained from online sources for free.

The easiest way to finish off your hemp jewelry is by simply tying up all the strands together. If you plan on finishing up your hemp bracelet or necklace this way, make sure that you have ample amounts of thread to make the finishing knots.

One other way to end your masterpiece is by using metal clasps and buttons. For this technique, instead of cutting 4 separate threads, simply fold them up to create a loop at the other end. This will serve as your lock to tie around your clasp or your button.

However, if you do not want to use any kind of metal on your hemp jewelry, you can make use of slider knots instead. All you need to do is to tie both threads with the opposite strand using a knot that will allow you to easily slide through for adjustments.

Different Bead Jewelry Making Techniques

2011
05.24

Bead jewelry making is a fun and rewarding hobby. They are very easy to begin with because first off, the tools and equipment needed are not expensive and second, the techniques are fairly easy to learn. So if you are interested in the craft, read on and get the most basic beading techniques that you should be learning first.

Stringing

This technique is simply the act of stringing beads with a bead thread or a wire. This is the most basic technique used when making beaded necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. The stringed beads are usually fastened on with a clasp or a glue to seal the knots.

Wirework

Beads always look beautiful with wireworks. Aside from using wires as strings, you can actually bend them into various shapes and designs – a very common bead jewelry making technique used in making bangles and dangling earrings. For this technique, you’ll need different kinds of pliers and sharp wire cutters to bend and cut wires more easily. Some even make use of hammers and anvils to create more detailed designs and forms. You can also create bead links to attach one wired bead to another giving it a more distinct form and style.

Bead weaving

This bead jewelry making technique weaves beads and threads to form a beautifully designed fabric-like material. Bead weaving may need you to follow certain patterns but not to worry because most, if not all of them, are repetitive and fairly easy to do. A good tip would be to use beads of the same size for a more symmetrical weave. You can also make use of a grid paper as a guide for weaving and colored pencils to plan out your color scheme and design. Do not get easily frustrated if you do not get it the first time because you will get more used to it as you practice. Although one of the most tedious techniques, the results never fail to make all your efforts worthwhile.

Embroidery

Embroidery makes use of cloth aside from the usual bead and thread materials. Beading needles need to be a bit sharper compared to the conventional needles used in the above-mentioned techniques. Make sure that you iron the cloth before you start out the beading process to give you a more stable platform to work on. You’ll also need a tambour to hold the cloth in place as you make out your designs, but try not to over-stretch them to distort the natural flow of the fabric. Aside from the beads per se, you can also make use of different kinds of threads to accent your design. This bead jewelry making technique can be a wonderful and timeless accent to decorate your clothes, your sheets, table fixtures, and curtains. They add texture and weight to plain and bare fabrics giving them more value and shine.

The great thing about bead jewelry making is that the products you make are pieces that you can actually use from accessories to home decors and so on and so forth. This makes it a hobby that you simply cannot resist trying.

Discover How To Make Jewelry

2011
04.08

I remember when I was in grade school taking a class on how to make jewelry. When I first signed up I thought it would be pretty boring but it actually turned out to be a lot of fun. Once you learn the basics of how to make jewelry, it opens up a whole new world to you.

There are so many things you can create once you learn how to make jewelry. Also, homemade jewelry makes a great gift to give to others. It really doesn’t take that much to get going once you learn how to make jewelry and it is something that you can just do as a hobby or as a small business you can do from home.

I hope you will join me as I rediscover and document my experience on how to make jewelry. I look forward to getting your feedback suggestions and ideas as we take this journey together.

Welcome to How to Make Jewelry Blog Dot Com

2011
03.31

This blog features information on how to make jewelry.