Do-It-Yourself Jewelry
Making jewelry for yourself and others is easier than you think.
Bead Jewelry
To start with something simple, use elastic string with a needle and some small beads. Just string them on and tie it when you are finished.
For something a little harder, you can use wire and follow the directions listed below.
- Once all of your beads are on, put crimp beads on both ends.
- Put the ends of the wire through one half of the clasp.
- Fold it back through the crimp bead.
- Crimp the bead using a crimper and you are done.
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Hemp Jewelry
Take the two outer strings and tie a knot as if you were doing the first knot of tying your shoes. Make sure the two center strings are in the center of your knot. Then, pull the knot tightly and repeat with the other string in front.
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Paper Beads
Gather some magazine scraps and colorful paper. Cut long triangles from your paper scraps (half inch to one inch wide and about two or three inches long). Put glue all over one side of the triangle. Then, with the side covered in glue facing up, roll it around a straw, starting with the thicker end. Once dry, either pull the beads off of the straw, or cut the straw on both ends of the bead so the straw stays in the center. Then, string your beads together and knot the string.
For more paper bead ideas, visit www.tappi.org/paperu/art_class/paperBeads.htm
You can make necklaces, bracelets and rings with paper beads.
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