How to Use Shells in Macrame Jewelry

Macrame is the process of knotting some type of string for decoration but macrame jewelry incorporates these knots with other common materials. This type of jewelry commonly uses beads of glass, wood and shells to make bracelets, necklaces and pendants. The following steps explain how to use shells in macrame jewelry.

Things You'll Need

• Cord
• Shells, various sizes
• Clear sealer
• Foam brush

Instructions

1. Choose the cord. Hemp is commonly used for macrame jewelry as it is very strong and is now available in a variety of colors. Waxed sinew cord is also popular but has fewer choices of colors.

2. Look for small shells of uniform size on the beach. Uniformity of size is less critical for earrings than it is for bracelets and necklaces. Many of these shells will naturally have holes in them big enough for the cord to fit through. You can also buy the shells from jewelry suppliers, especially those who sell gemstones.

3. Cover the shells with a clear sealer like Mod Podge using a foam brush and allow the shells to dry.

4. Fold a length of cord in half and push it through the hole in the shell. Put both ends of the cord through the resulting loop to make the mounting knot. Generally, an overhand knot or series of knots is used to separate each shell as it is strung on to the cord, depending on the instruction and specific piece being made.

5. Make macrame around a single focal point like a larger shell. This technique commonly uses intertwining overhand knots to produce a net-like array for a pendant.

Resources

• Information on macrame