How to Make Beads From Corn

Next time you make a piece of jewelry, try creating your own beads from Indian corn. Indian corn's brightly colored kernels make for gorgeous beads that give handmade jewelry an organic look. It's easy to make beads from Indian corn; the process takes little effort and the resulting beads may be used in necklaces, bracelets, earrings and any other beaded jewelry item.

Things You'll Need

• Indian corn
• Bowl
• Embroidery needle
• Fishing line

Instructions

1. Remove corn kernels from Indian corn cobs. When you push at the kernels with your finger, they'll easily dislodge from the cob.

2. Push off one row of kernels at a time. Continue until you've removed all the kernels from the cob.

3. Strip one corn cob if you want enough beads to make a necklace; if you want to make several pieces of jewelry, strip several corn cobs.

4. Fill a large bowl with lukewarm water.

5. Add the Indian corn kernels to the bowl of water and allow them to soak overnight.

6. Thread a sharp embroidery needle with a length of fishing line long enough to hold all of the corn kernels.

7. Remove the softened corn kernels from the bowl of water and push the threaded needle through the white area at the base of each kernel.

8. Allow the kernels to dry and harden.

9. Remove the corn beads from the fishing line. You now have Indian corn beads with pinholes for easy beading.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to make a piece of jewelry from nothing but corn beads, you can use the softened corn kernels. Thread them on a piece of fishing line or embroidery floss that's long enough for your finished necklace or bracelet.

References

• LDS Friend magazine: Indian Corn Beads