How to Make Traditional Indian Jewelry
Traditional Indian jewelry artists crafted body ornament pieces from natural materials found throughout the country of India. Materials for the jewelry pieces included seeds, leaves, animal bones, feathers, flowers, fruits, berries and even small stones. In addition, expensive and precious stones, including copper, silver, gold and ivory, were carved into beads and gems for ornamental jewelry pieces. Although many traditional Indian jewelry pieces simply require threading beads onto string, other pieces, such as the traditional Indian waistband, known also as the Kamarband or Tagdi, require a more intricate creation process.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Cut two pieces of silk thread that extend twice around the body, just below the waistline. Cut the second of the two pieces slightly shorter than the first. Although traditional jewelry included either gold, silver or copper wires or strings, most novice jewelers in the 21st century can only afford silk threads to make traditional Indian jewelry.
-
2
Double the lengths of silk thread, and begin to thread on various jewelry beads. Include beads made from precious stones and gems popular to traditional Indian jewelry, such as gold, silver, copper, jade, turquoise, crystal and hematite. If you cannot afford such accessory beads, consider using plastic or natural beads, such as seeds and shells.
-
-
3
Attach jewelry clips to the ends of both doubled sections of silk thread. Attach each band around the waist of the model from the first step. Make sure the smaller of the two beaded loops sets on top of the larger.
-
4
Cut another long section of silk thread, and string beads onto this thread as well. Once threaded, weave this longer thread back and forth between the first two sections to create a beltlike band around the waist. This final section should attach perpendicularly between the two lengths that wrap around the body.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Experiment with making various Indian jewelry pieces, such as chokers, forehead bands, upper arm bands and bands for the waist.
Learn the meanings behind different Indian jewelry pieces before you wear the pieces to prevent offending anyone or advertising yourself as unmarried when you have a spouse.
