Hemp
Hemp... I love this stuff! My obsession with hemp is actually a reintroduction (and only for the purposes of decoration) - I did a little in high school, then got busy with college and other crafting pursuits. This summer (2004) I was really looking for some new hemp that I liked, but pre-made jewelry is so expensive in the store and at fairs and I didn't really see anything I "loved."
So I rediscovered hemp to get some new jewelry - but I found that it was really relaxing, inexpensive and a very convient craft. I love to craft just about any medium, but most of my crafts require me to a least go to my craft table to work. I can do hemp on the couch, watching TV with my hubby, and that way I am able to do three relaxing things (craft, watch TV and be with hubby) at the same time.
Hemp gives me a lot of freedom of expression and a creativity I desire - it is a challenge to see how I can adapt different designs to hemp and then create my own pieces. I'll probably buy a book on it eventually to learn some hemp patterns and other fastenings, but macrame ideas are such a great inspiration to me right now that I will probably contine with those for awhile.
Below are my hemp jewelry creations. Please be patient on the image files as they are large to view the deatils on the items.
Please click on the thumbnail images for a larger image.
Square Knot Eyehole Anklet with Lavender Small Beads
Material Info: Both the hemp and beads are the "Elements" line by "The Beadery Craft Products." The hemp was not exactly what I was expecting, as its thickness varried greatly along the roll, causing thinner parts to my pattern (however it was quiet inexpensive, so you get what you pay for). The beads are great (twice the size of a seed bead), but they contain a small hole, so I could only get one string of hemp through each. They came in a multi-pack of various sizes and shades of amethyst, but these particular beads have a champagne reflection in the light (which you can kind of see in the photo).
Background: This is a great macrame basic pattern that worked up really fast - I really like it, especially as it is a bit thicker (three doubled strands were used instead of just two). I did it to have an anklet for an cheerleading/amusement park trip (August 2004) - I make a lot of my pieces for a specific event or occasion... can't wait to work on some holiday jewelry!
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Half Knot Spiral Bracelet with Multicolor Seed Beads
Material Info: This is the bracelet from a necklace/bracelet kit by "The Beadery Craft Products." The products in the kit were well-made, but I wish there had been a few more beads to complete a slightly longer bracelet and the instructions left much to be desired!
Background: It is one of my first hemp items, done in high school (circa '98-'99). It worked up quickly, but the frequent beading made it take much longer than I thought. It used two doubled strands of hemp for each piece. The bracelet only has some wear (fuzzing) at one end, as seen in the picture, from repeated removal and replacement, but it has lasted quite well.
The necklace is incomplete and M.I.A. (got married and have no idea where it got packed) but featured a great butterfly Fimo bead. I just need to find it!
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"Scraps" Square Knot Thumb Ring with Lavender Mini Beads
Material Info: Same as eyehole anklet, except beads are slightly-faceted clear lavender hued mini-beads (just slightly bigger than a seed bead).
Background: It's a scrap... no, it's a thumb-ring! Since my anklet was a custom, original hemp length is approximate. Since I found myself left with excess hemp that was useable but not long enough for a bracelet, etc., I crafted this simple thumb ring (August 2004) in a few minutes and though the beads are different, it goes well with the anklet.
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Coming Soon
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Updated 8/8/05
Copyright 2004
Jessica Arbuckle
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