How to Make Fiber Jewelry
Not all jewelry is made with silver and gold. There are many different materials and substances that can make beautiful bracelets, necklaces and more - including some very natural ones. Jewelry made from such things as felt, wool and hemp can be funky and classic, beautiful and eye catching. There are many different techniques to make fiber jewelry as well - ranging from creating beads out of wool to braiding different fibers. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Fiber - wool or another natural fiber
- Needles - crochet, knitting or tapestry
- Jewelry wire
- Jewelry findings
Instructions
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Choose a medium. For more intricate and felted designs, you will want to choose a fiber that can easily be dyed, spun and manipulated such as wool, angora or alpaca fiber. Sturdier, more macrame-like designs go well with hemp.
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Design your piece. Choose whether you want to make something that is a full piece, such as a necklace made entirely of fiber, or just a focal piece such as a pendant. In order to showcase the unique look of your fiber jewelry, you may wish to create a fiber focal piece and use metal to complete the piece.
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Create a base for your fiber design. Few fibers, if any, will stand up on their own - even if you crochet them. Using jewelry wire, you can create whatever shape you want for your fiber design. Use inexpensive wire that can be reshaped if you need to - you will be covering the wire with your chosen fiber.
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Cover your design with fiber. This can be done in several ways - using raw fibers, such as batting, you can wind fiber around your wire to create a fluffy, bead-like look. You could also knit or crochet along the wire using yarn made from your chosen fiber. Thin fibers can be used to create a tatting look - the look of lace.
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Complete your piece by adding all the extras - a chain, a bail for your pendant or charm, and a clasp for easy wearing. If this is the first piece of fiber jewelry you have made, try wearing it for a while to see how it wears - and to make sure that the fiber you are using does not fall apart with wear. Enjoy your new art, and you can then try making it for others.
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Tips & Warnings
Jewelry is about art - so don't let other people's techniques influence you too much. Go your own way and create something new!
Not every piece will come out right with your first try. Be prepared to scrap a few pieces of jewelry before coming up with something you like.
Resources
- Photo Credit Castleranchalpacas.com
