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i'm switching from synthetic strings to hemp, and wondering what others do for "sealing" the ends...with ynthetic strings i just melt the ends and seal, but with hemp it doesn't work...do you use a daub of some sort of wax, or is there another technique? also, i'm thinking to zip the string through bees' wax before working it, to give it more of the nice finish you get with synthetics...
any thoughts?
any thoughts?
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Re: macrame jewelry
Mon, June 2, 2008 - 7:13 PMI make hemp jewelry for a living. I simply tie and over hand knot on the end. If I think it needs to be glued I use a small amount of beading glue. Its like super glue only you CANT glue your fingers together with it. (yes Ive tried too, to see if it was true.) -
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Re: macrame jewelry
Tue, June 3, 2008 - 12:52 PMkaylar,
do you wax the strings? i find that for some of the knotting styles i use, the hemp looks "messy," simply from the friction of previous knots along it, but i'd like to find a way to keep the pattern tight...
"simple tie and over hand knot..." you mean when you finish? i'm wondering when i finish the closure loop and also the times a string is too short and i add a new one...you don't have problems with the knots coming undone? -
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Re: macrame jewelry
Tue, June 3, 2008 - 3:57 PMThe hemp I use is already slightly waxed. I tend to use waxed linen more. Either way I glue the ends. Glue and trim is what I like to say at the end of each project. There's a really great new glue out there that has the texture of white glue but has much more hold called the Ultimate Crafter's Glue. I've used it with a number of different materials and it works great. Hope this helps and happy knotting!
ps...I have a book coming out next year on macrame.
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Re: macrame jewelry
Thu, June 5, 2008 - 6:17 PMI use polished hemp. The unpolished hemp makes my hands itch and its so fuzzy it looks messy too. I tie an over hand knot at the beginning to form the loop (fold the cords in half then tie the knot). Then when have the length that I want I tie another over hand knot. Pull the cords tight and leave some cord for to tie it on with. I dont use any glue unless I have fishing line in the piece cause the holes in the beads are too small. None of my pieces have fallen apart.
If I have to add length to a cord I tie the cords like ya would when ya tie your shoe but with out the bow.. And then pull as hard as I can.. to tighten the knot. If it comes undone I retie it and glue it and then I dont usually have any issues. -
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Re: macrame jewelry
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 12:50 AMkaylar,
i'm not understanding what you mean by an over hand knot...but for sure it's differnt from how i'm making my closures, with a knotted loop to start and finishing with a bead...it sounds like you're making a knot in the beginning and so your closure is bare threads? (vs. knotted like mine) is that right?
do you know what the string is polished with? maybe the bee's wax isn't the best idea...? -
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Re: macrame jewelry
Mon, June 9, 2008 - 5:57 PMYeah the loop on the one end is "bare" hemp. Its a simple way of making a loop for the other cords to slip through.
Say I have 2 cords. one is 3yards and the other is 2 yards. Find the center of the cords. About an inch from the center tie an overhand knot. You now have a loop and four cords. Two cords are 1.5 yards each and two cords are 1yard each. Then you tie the knots that you want for the piece of jewelry that you are making. I usually stop when theres about 5 inches left on the shortest cords. Tie another overhand knot and trim the four cords to the same length. Then to wear the necklace slip 2 cords through the loop and tie with the remaining two cords. That is just one way of doing it. Does that make sense now?
It sounds like you are starting from the opposite end and making the necklace then wrapping a few inches. Then tying a square knot back onto the necklace to form the loop. Correct?
I dont know what my hemp is polished with. Its already polished when I buy it. -
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Re: macrame jewelry
Tue, June 10, 2008 - 9:46 AMooh...nice detail...thanks!
i'm starting by bending everybody in half, as you do, and then tying on a spare peice of string about a half inch or inch from the center, and knotting a spiraling guy until it's the same distance past center. then i bring the two together and wrap with the remaining, forming a loop and ready to make the necklace. at the end, i stop with enough distance to finish with a bead that fits through the loop, and tie off that end after the bead....make sense?
do you know the brand of hemp you get? maybe i can search it...i'm a bit hestitant to try out my bees' wax idea, and as such have been spending all my time the past two weeks sewing instead!! have to get back to it soon, though... -
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Re: macrame jewelry
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 4:35 PMwww.hempbasics.com They are out of NJ. I havent had any trouble with them. -
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How To Vids???
Sat, June 14, 2008 - 7:25 PMi stumbled upon and wanted to share here are a few to get you guys started if interested.
Lots of love.
D.
Starting Link:
www.youtube.com/watch
Determine Length:
www.youtube.com/watch
Soften them:
www.youtube.com/watch
Medium:
www.youtube.com/watch
Basic Stitches Pt 1
www.youtube.com/watch
Basic Stictches Pt 2
www.youtube.com/watch
Basic Adding Beads Pt 1
www.youtube.com/watch
Basic: Adding Beads pt2
www.youtube.com/watch
The End
www.youtube.com/watch
Thanks to Expertvillage.
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Re: macrame jewelry
Tue, August 25, 2009 - 6:35 PMhi karin
i make macrame jewelry using synthetic waxed strings that i bought in argentina. i am now running out of my supply and wonder if you might know where i may buy more in the USA. from where do you order your string?
in an effort to keep making jewelry without my synthetic strings, i have been waxing my own embroidery string with bees wax, which is the best - doesn't get sticky. you can rub some on the ends of your knots and then melt it a bit to seal. works well.
hope to hear from you soon.
thanks, amira
