How To Make Indian Jewelry
Gorgeous Indian jewelry has been handcrafted by Native Americans for centuries. With the same use of simple rope and beads they have always used, beautiful jewelry creations can still be made today. With nine easy steps, anyone can create their own personal style of handcrafted Indian jewelry and exercise the creativity within.
- Collect materials to make the Indian jewelry. You'll need thin rope or cord and beads. A few great choices for bead types are copper, silver, and glass. You may also want to use Indiana related items like arrowheads, rabbit feet, or mini dream catchers.
- Choose and cut a piece of rope or cord. Choose a type of comfortable rope. Suede cord is the most popular used. Cut the cord to a length that fits comfortably around the area of the body you plan to wear it. Thirty inches is a great length for a necklace. Eight inches is perfect length for a bracelet or anklet. Keep in mind, if you are using large beads, you may want a longer length cord.
- Choose beads. Pick out what beads you want to use for your jewelry. Other options, besides beads, that are good for Indian jewelry is shells, wood, and stones. Whatever items you choose, make sure they have holes drilled through them so they can be easily threaded onto the cord.
- Knot the cord in a simple knot on one end. This will be the end you string the beads down to.
- Thread half the beads onto the cord. Be sure to thread the beads in an order you find attractive. Take the first bead all the way down to the knotted end. Take each bead after that to the previous bead.
- Thread a center piece onto the cord. A center piece, like an arrowhead, is an item in the center of the jewelry and often the most eye-catching. If you choose to have one, thread it onto the cord now. You can choose the item touch the beads or tie a simple knot on either side of the item to separate the center piece.
- Thread the last half of the beads onto the cord. Leave room at the end of the cord to tie it off.
- Knot the remaining end of the cord in a simple knot. This ensures that the beads do not fall off when you wear the jewelry.
- Tie the two ends of the jewelry together around the area of the body you plan to wear it.