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Unique Friendship Bracelets: Jewelry Making, Embroidery Thread, Colors, Patterns And Instructions
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Published: November 30, 2007
The art of creating friendship bracelets can be considered a part of the Native American culture, as the inventors of these fascinating accessories were Native American Indians that came from Central America. This trend was first seen in the U.S. during the mid-seventies and were popular accessories during that time. Today, wearing friendship bracelets is still a trend.
Traditionally, friendship bracelets are to be given to a special friend and these charming accessories are to be worn until the threads naturally break off. If these friendship bracelets are removed before they break off, it usually signifies the deterioration of the bond between the one who created the bracelets and the person to whom these bracelets were given.
Friendship bracelets are handmade bracelets made of colorful embroidery threads. The technique used in creating friendship bracelets is actually a variation of "macrame," a technique used in making textile by forming a series of knots. In creating friendship bracelets, the usual types of knots used are half-hitch knots. These knots are very simple to make and the materials needed in creating such bracelets are embroidery threads in varying colors, a safety pin, and a pair of scissors.
One has to learn how to make half-hitch knots in order to create friendship bracelets in different colors. Easy-to-understand instructions in making half-hitch knots can be found in craft books and in many online sources. There are actually many websites that offer step-by-step instructions that are perfect for beginners. Some websites even include diagrams or photos of how to create half-hitch knots. Once the basics of the half-hitch knot are mastered, one can look for interesting patterns. Online jewelry making forums also contain plenty of tips and references when creating unique friendship bracelets aside from instructions. Plenty of craft and jewelry making books contain interesting patterns from simple "candystripe" patterns to a combination of two or more patterns. For beginners, the easiest patterns are those based on the "candystripe" style.
Before making knots, a safety pin is usually used to hold the end of an embroidery thread in place. Once the end of this embroidery thread is secured in place, one can start to create a series of knots according to the patterns used. The knots are repetitively done until the string is long enough to fit the arm of the recipient. For more colorful patterns, one can use five or more colors of embroidery thread. Some even opt to add glass beads on their friendship bracelets, making this art a popular jewelry making technique.
The process of creating friendship bracelets is a fairly easy one, although plenty of practice is needed to master the half-hitch knots. Patience and an eye for detail can greatly help since one has to make the knots individually. One can start with simple patterns and once the basic skills are established, one can move on to more complex and intricate patterns bearing images of animals or geometric shapes.
Sources:
Hartwell, Eric. "Bracelets - Beauty For The Wrist." EzineArticles. 19 March 2007. 29 Nov. 2007. http://ezinearticles.com/?Bracelets---Beauty-For-T he-Wrist&id=493973.
Heather. "Friendship Bracelet Tips." Heather's Friendship Bracelets. 26 June 2006. 29 Nov. 2007. http://www.geocities.com/hbernb/tips.html.
Maureen, Julia, Thorne, Jonathan, et. al. "How to Make A Friendship Bracelet." WikiHow. 29 Nov. 2007. http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Friendship-Bracelet.
"Friendship Bracelet." Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. 4 Nov. 2007. 29 Nov. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendship_bracelet.< br />
"Macrame." Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. 31 Oct. 2007. 29 Nov. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrame.
Friendship bracelets are handmade bracelets made of colorful embroidery threads. The technique used in creating friendship bracelets is actually a variation of "macrame," a technique used in making textile by forming a series of knots. In creating friendship bracelets, the usual types of knots used are half-hitch knots. These knots are very simple to make and the materials needed in creating such bracelets are embroidery threads in varying colors, a safety pin, and a pair of scissors.
One has to learn how to make half-hitch knots in order to create friendship bracelets in different colors. Easy-to-understand instructions in making half-hitch knots can be found in craft books and in many online sources. There are actually many websites that offer step-by-step instructions that are perfect for beginners. Some websites even include diagrams or photos of how to create half-hitch knots. Once the basics of the half-hitch knot are mastered, one can look for interesting patterns. Online jewelry making forums also contain plenty of tips and references when creating unique friendship bracelets aside from instructions. Plenty of craft and jewelry making books contain interesting patterns from simple "candystripe" patterns to a combination of two or more patterns. For beginners, the easiest patterns are those based on the "candystripe" style.
Before making knots, a safety pin is usually used to hold the end of an embroidery thread in place. Once the end of this embroidery thread is secured in place, one can start to create a series of knots according to the patterns used. The knots are repetitively done until the string is long enough to fit the arm of the recipient. For more colorful patterns, one can use five or more colors of embroidery thread. Some even opt to add glass beads on their friendship bracelets, making this art a popular jewelry making technique.
The process of creating friendship bracelets is a fairly easy one, although plenty of practice is needed to master the half-hitch knots. Patience and an eye for detail can greatly help since one has to make the knots individually. One can start with simple patterns and once the basic skills are established, one can move on to more complex and intricate patterns bearing images of animals or geometric shapes.
Sources:
Hartwell, Eric. "Bracelets - Beauty For The Wrist." EzineArticles. 19 March 2007. 29 Nov. 2007. http://ezinearticles.com/?Bracelets---Beauty-For-T he-Wrist&id=493973.
Heather. "Friendship Bracelet Tips." Heather's Friendship Bracelets. 26 June 2006. 29 Nov. 2007. http://www.geocities.com/hbernb/tips.html.
Maureen, Julia, Thorne, Jonathan, et. al. "How to Make A Friendship Bracelet." WikiHow. 29 Nov. 2007. http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Friendship-Bracelet.
"Friendship Bracelet." Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. 4 Nov. 2007. 29 Nov. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendship_bracelet.< br />
"Macrame." Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. 31 Oct. 2007. 29 Nov. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrame.
