Hemp jewelry can be found at many shops these days. While it is a fine idea to purchase natural hemp products, it’s even better to use hemp to make your own. Making your own jewelry from hemp is a simple and fun way to be stylish and green.
Styles have come around as they often do. Hemp jewelry was a style that broke out in the sixties and seventies and it has come back to being very stylish again. One of the best parts about making your own hemp jewelry is how inexpensive it is and how easy it is to personalize it to create your own unique style.
You do not need to have any special skills to make this fun jewelry. There are a few simple braids you can learn to create several pieces of jewelry. By learning even one simple braid, you can make necklaces, bracelets, anklets, or even belts.
Here’s What You Will Need:
1. Measuring tape
2. Scissors
3. A 2×6 board
4. Four Nails
5. A Hammer
6. Hemp
7. Any beads or charms you would like to add
Setting up and Getting Started:
To get started on your first piece of hemp jewelry, decide what you would like to make. Measure so you know the length your finished piece needs to be. You will want to nail the four nails you purchased across the top of your 2×6 board. Space them evenly and leave them sticking out from the board far enough to make tying the hemp easy. You can find hemp at most craft supply stores. I found that Jewelry Essentials Natural Cords was very easy to work with. Read more about this hemp product by clicking here.
Next, you will want to cut two pieces of the hemp five times the length that you want your finished jewelry to be. You will also want to cut two pieces of hemp two times the length that you want your finished jewelry to be. Tie the longest strands on the outer edge nails on your board. Also, tie the two shorter pieces of hemp to the two center nails on your board. Tie them using a simple knot that will be easy to remove. Also, leave a bit of extra hemp on that end to work with in securing your piece.
Braiding the Hemp:
There are a few popular ways to braid hemp jewelry. To get started on your first piece, I would suggest this simple braid. Stand your board up between your legs with your strands of hemp facing you. Braid one long end over the two middle strands and around the opposite long end. Tighten that up till the hemp feels snug. Bring the other long end under the middle strands and up to around the opposite end and again tighten it up.
You will want to repeat this knot several times. Once you get to a point where you want to add a charm or bead, simply thread the bead onto the two middle strands. Repeat the same braid and tighten it. You will want to space charms evenly if you are adding more than one. If that is the case, be sure to keep a count of the braids you finish and repeat the same number of braids between every charm or bead.
There are numerous places that you can purchase beads and charms to add to your jewelry. I found some very inexpensive beads that fit nicely with the hemp at wire-sculpture.com while browsing the net. The most important thing to remember when deciding on beads or charms for your jewelry is the size of the hole in the beads. You have to consider the thickness of your hemp and how easy it will be to thread the beads or charms onto it.
Adding your Personal Style:
The fun in making your own hemp jewelry gets even better when you add personal touches that make the piece unique. Choose beads that are a flattering color and match well with your clothing. Charms are also fun for adding a touch of flare.
One more way you can create personal pieces of hemp jewelry is to use lettered beads. Purchase packs of lettered beads and braid them into the jewelry to spell out your name or a favorite phrase. You might want to spell out the name of your school or any other word that makes you smile. The idea is to have as much fun as you can while making a very unique piece of jewelry.
Finishing the Piece:
There are two ways to finish your piece of homemade hemp jewelry. You can purchase clasps and tie them off on either end. This is an easy way to make your jewelry more user friendly. By using clasps it is far easier to put the jewelry on and take it off. I found that wire-sculputure.com carries some very inexpensive clasps that would be great for this project.
The other way to finish off your hemp jewelry is to make a loop at one end, and a knot at the opposite end. You will want your knot to be large enough that your loop will just barely fit over it as you push it through. Hemp has some give to it so I would recommend making the loop very tight. After you finish making the loop and the knot, simply cut off any extra lengths of hemp.
This jewelry will look great with so many outfits. Hemp jewelry adds a touch of earth to any blue jean outfit and it looks just as great when you’re sporting a swimming suit. The beads and charms you add to any piece will determine whether it is one you will want to wear to dress up or down any given outfit. Have fun making your own hemp jewelry and even more fun when you can proudly say that you made it yourself.
Sources:
http://www.michaels.com
http://wire-sculpture.com
