Rustic Handmade Beads and Necklace

 

'Beads' was the challenge this week ... hosted by Norma.

It reminded me of some beads I made from some local seeds. 

 

 

These seeds are from the Donjek Berry, and have been used traditionally for years as beads by the local First Nations people.  Once the berry part is rubbed off, the seeds are beautiful, but still quite soft.

 

 

I put a hole through them and strung them on a piece of wire.

 

 When they dried  they shrank in size and hardened and became lovely little beads.

 

The other 'bead' I like to make is actually just a piece of wire wrapped around something.

(in this case a well worn wooden skewer)

I then remove the wire wrap, cut it into pieces, and bent the ends toward the middle of the bead. 

 

I used these seed beads and my wire wraps in making this rustic necklace.

 

 

 

 

The necklace can be worn long.....

 

or short with the chain wrapped twice around your neck.

 

To see more of the 'bead' challenge be sure to visit Norma