How To Make Bohemian Jewelry
Chunky, bold Bohemian jewelry, which is made of natural materials and handcrafted for a unique appearance, is a very popular fashion choice. Whether you like a new age style, a gypsy-inspired look, or just want a special piece of jewelry for your collection, Bohemian jewelry can be handcrafted easily in a few steps.
- Cut pieces of cord or wire. You'll need 3-5 pieces of cord depending on how many layers you want. For a necklace, lengths of 30-35 inches, and 40 inches are perfect. For bracelets, try 10, 12, and 14 inches. Experiment with different lengths on your body and figure out what you like the best. You can cut the cord or wire by carefully using scissors or wire cutters. If wire ends are sharp, you can use a piece of course-grain sandpaper and round off the edges.
- Choose materials. Bohemian jewelry is typically constructed of various beads made of natural materials; wood, fossils, stones, coral, shells, and wire transformed into shapes like flowers and animals. Pick various items that look attractive together. For a true Bohemian style, they should be of different sizes, shapes, and hues. Earth tones are very popular for Bohemian jewelry, as is turquoise. You'll need lots of materials to complete your jewelry piece.
- Thread materials onto cord. One by one, thread each item onto the cord. If an item does not have a hole to thread, you may need to create one. Use a drill with a very small drill bit, and carefully drill a hole through the entire item. It should have two holes, an "in" and an "out" hole parallel to one another. Thread beads, making sure to tie each cord off at the end when full of materials. This ensures the materials do not fall off.
- Attach a clasp to the cords. Choose a clasp that you like best. Hook and eye, lobster clasp, and box clasps are great choices. You'll need to attach all three cords to a clasp side. Once the clasp is securely attached, you are ready to wear, sell, or give away your hand-crafted Bohemian jewelry piece.