How to Make an Herb Necklace

Herbs like fragrant spearmint can be used to make beads for a necklace

Herbs impart not both flavor and fragrance to foods. Some believe they also have the ability to assist in healing certain conditions. Because of the healing and fragrant properties, herbs are a good idea to use as jewelry. Fresh herbs can be made into small herbal beads that will hold their aroma without having to be replaced every few days like fresh herbs normally would. Because the herbs are preserved, they can be used over the long term and even be given as gifts.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 cup fresh herbs, your choice
• Food processor
• Water
• Flour
• Toothpick
• Satin or leather cord

Instructions

1. Pull the herbs from any stems or woody parts that may be attached. Gather only the fragrant parts that you would use for cooking.

2. Place the herbs in a food processor and puree them until they are a smooth pulp.

3. Add 3 tabplespoons of flour to the pulp and mix. If the pulp mixture is dry, add 1 tbsp of water as well. When mixed, the ingredients should form a clay-like substance similar to modeling clay. Keep adding flour or water until you get this consistency.

4. Remove the dough from the processor and pinch off a small amount, forming it into a small bead.

5. Pierce the bead with a toothpick to form the hole you will later use to string it onto a necklace. The beads will shrink a bit when they dry, so make them slightly bigger than what you want the finished product to look like.

6. String the beads onto the cord and tie it off. Hang the necklace in a cool, dry place so the beads can finish drying. It is ready to wear once dried.

Tips & Warnings

• For more fragrant beads, you can add a drop of essential oil to each bead after it had been formed. The essential oil will dry with the bead and keep its scent for several days or weeks.

• If you don't have a food processor, you can use a blender or spice grinder instead.