How to Make Jewelry Out of Raffia
Raffia is a strong natural fiber taken from the raffia palm in Madagascar. Strips of raffia can be used to weave baskets, tie plants or make jewelry. You can find natural raffia ribbon dyed in every color of the rainbow for your jewelry and other craft projects. Open your imagination and you'll be amazed at the different jewelry designs you can create with a few strands of raffia.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Raffia ribbon- 3 colors
- Scissors
- 2 alligator clips
- 4mm beads
- Jeweler's glue
- 2 spring coil ends
- Flat nose pliers
- Round nose pliers
- Jump rings
- Clasp
Instructions
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1
Measure and cut three lengths of raffia ribbon in three different colors twice as long as the desired length of your jewelry piece.
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2
Line the raffia side by side. Clip one end of the three ribbons together with an alligator clip. The clip will hold the raffia evenly as you braid your jewelry.
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3
Place one of the side strips over the center strip. The side strip is now the new center. Place the other side strip over the new center strip. You are braiding the raffia together. Repeat this step twice more.
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4
Thread a 4mm bead over the ribbon in the center of your braid, up to the braided portion. Continue to make your raffia braid, but add a bead to either the center or the side ribbons at varying intervals. Add as many beads as you like to create a beaded braid.
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5
Dip the ribbon ends of your completed braid into liquid jeweler's glue. Place one ribbon end on top of another to make a stack. Insert the stack into the coiled end of a spring coil. Squeeze the end of the coil with your flat nose pliers to attach it to the raffia.
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6
Remove the alligator clip and repeat Step 5 with the opposite end of the raffia braid.
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7
Open a jump ring at the split with round nose pliers. Attach one end of the clasp to the circular end of the spring coil with the jump ring. Close the ring. Repeat this step to attach the other side of the clasp to the oppostie end of the braided raffia jewelry.
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