How to make Hemp Jewelry

I have been making hemp jewelry for a number of years, so I decided to finally make a tutorial on how to make a necklace (or bracelet).

I work on a board with two screws on either side. I use this because I find I can get the knots tighter, and I can work faster. I also have put markings on my board to remind me where to put a bead, where it should end and the half way point of my necklace.

What you will need: 

Hemp

Beads

1 board

2 screws

 

 

First measure out your hemp. For making a necklace I use two and a half arm lengths, from the tip of my right hand finger to my left hand finger, for one string. The second string I measure out a little more than the length of the necklace. 

 The first string you cut find the half way point and make a loop. Add the second sting and line both strings up. Like so.

 Tie the strings together with a knot. Make sure it is not too close to the end of the string, but make sure the loop is not too big.

I put the loop I just made around the top screw on my board.  I take the two hemp strings which are I measured out to the size of my necklace and keep them separated from the longer strings I will be using to braid. 

 Separate the strings into outside strings and inside strings. Depending on the beads you are using, I bead them onto the inside strings before I begin braiding. Tie the inside strings down so they are very tight and hard to move.

 Take the left side string and cross OVER TOP the middle strings.

 Next you want to take the left string and bring it over top the string you just crossed.

 Bring the right string under the center strings and through the hoop made by the left string. Like so.

 When you pull the strings together it should look like this. Pull hard to make the braid tight together.

 Now do the same steps but to the other side. Braiding both sides back and forth will make the hemp go into a flat design braid. If you braid only on one side it will turn into a spiral.

 When you want to add a bead, just move the bead up and into the next braid.

This is an example of the flat design and the spiral. Hope this tutorial works for you. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes very easy. Enjoy making bracelets and necklaces!

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Marshmallow Fondant

When I first started decorating cakes, people told me how much they love the look of cakes with fondant but they hate the taste! I started making marshmallow fondant which turns out amazing every time! It might not be as durable as regular fondant but it tastes amazing. This is a must try ..

Ingredients: 

- One Bag of Marshmallows

- One bag of Icing sugar
- Tender flake shortening
- 2 Tbsp of Water
- Food coloring

You will also need a spatula, a microwavable bowl, and some plastic gloves.

  First wash your counter. Than grease the counter really well with the shortening. You want to have a thick layer of shortening and a large area covered. Otherwise your marshmallow will stick to the counter.

 Than pour half of the icing sugar onto the greased counter.

Pat the icing sugar into a large circle. This is going to be what you are going to pour the melted marshmallows onto.

 Grease the microwave able bowl and spatula really well. Than pour in the Marshmallows.

 Pour the 2 Tbsp of water on to the marshmallows and lightly stir. Next you want to microwave the marshmallows for 30 seconds. Stir the marshmallows and microwave them again for 30 seconds. Continue these steps until there is no clumps of Marshmallows.

  It took me three times putting my marshmallows into the microwave until I got this smooth liquid marshmallow. Than pour the marshmallow mixture onto your circle of icing sugar.

 Rube shortening all over your hands. Make sure you get between fingers and even the back of your hands. Otherwise the marshmallows with just stick to you and not the icing.

 Begin mixing the marshmallows into the icing making sure you stay on the greased surface. Don't forget to keep the icing sugar close by at all times. You will need to add lots more but in the end you should have a cup left. 

 Keep mixing the Marshmallows until the mixture can be kneaded. Than your fondant is finished. Your marshmallow fondant can be stored up to three days in a tightly sealed container. Do not refrigerate. The next couple steps is adding color and my finished product.

 Cut a portion of the kneaded fondant that you want to color. Wearing gloves put a couple drops onto the gloves and rube hands together. Than begin kneading the color into the fondant. Keep putting drops onto your gloves and kneading it in until you reach the color of fondant you want.

 I rolled out my fondant and made pink circles to put on my cake. 

While I was rolling out my fondant and making different shapes, I baked two circle cakes and iced them. (The icing on the cake will act as glue keeping the fondant on the cake.) After they were iced I put the cake into the fridge. I rolled out blue fondant to cover the whole cake. I also made green stripes and pink circles to decorate. When attaching the fondant together use a little bit of water. Water will act as glue when you are attaching fondant to fondant.

Hope you liked my tutorial! If you have any interesting ideas on different designs for cakes I would love to hear them!

How to make an inexpensive photography light box:

I spent this morning creating my own light box, which took me only 30 minutes! This project is super easy to make, and the finished product works very well! I suggest using a light box for any professional photos you would like for selling items, or crafts. Stop motion videos would be amazing as well!

Things you will need:

1. A good size box
2. Two lights
3. Bristol Board (or in my case heavy drawing paper)
4. Large tracing paper
5. ruler
6. Marker
7. Scissors
8. box cutter
9. Tape 

STEPS:

 First: Have your box laying on its side. Use your ruler and Marker, draw cut out lines in the shape of a box on three sides on the box. Make sure there is an edge, so you can tape down your tracing paper.

Step Two: Using the box cutter, Cut along the outline you just made. Do this to all three sides of your box.

Step three: Cut off three flaps from the top of the box. Your box should look like this!

 Step Four: Now to measure the backdrop for your light box. I used two heavy drawing papers to make the back. A Bristol board is preferred.

 Step Five: Use your marker and mark where to cut the paper. Use your ruler and draw the line all the way down the paper. Cut down the line.

 Step Six: Slide the paper into the box without creasing it! Tape the paper up at the top of the page.

 Step seven: Now cover each side we cut out earlier with tracing paper. Lay down the paper and cut off the extra pieces. Tape down the paper around each edge, try to make it wrinkle free as much as possible.

 Step Eight: Now position the two lights on either side of the box where you like it. Try to not get any shadows inside the box. 

Now it is time to take pictures!!!

What is your secret to taking really nice pictures? How do you get the perfect lighting!

Loom Bead Work

What you will need:
One loom
Thread
Beads
A beading needle

Loom patterns consists of different squares. Each square represents a different bead.  A tip is to Color each square with the color beads you want to use. This prevents confusing on figuring out with which colored bead comes next.

First I searched the Internet for a design pattern that I liked. The one I am using is a Sioux Tribe design which is a part of my heritage.You can buy a loom at any craft store, or you can even make one!

                                                    This is what a loom pattern looks like!
 Loom patterns consists of different squares. Each square represents a different bead.  A tip is to Color each square with the color beads you want to use. This prevents confusing on figuring out with which colored bead comes next.

Next is to thread your loom. This is a very tricky step so here is a video on how to thread a loom!

 Next is to start beading. With a thread and loom needle (usually comes with the loom kit) and following the pattern bead your first line of beads onto the thread. Put your finger under all the threads and lightly push up the beads between each thread. Each bead should have their own space. Once all the beads are in between the thread pull the needle and thread over the top of the loom. Pull the needle through all the beads so that the beads can't fall down. The end of the thread does not have to be tied; try not to pull the end through. Later we will deal with the loose threads. Bead your second line of beads onto the thread and repeat.

 This is the start of my grandmothers bracelet. It should start to look like this. Make sure you don't tangle yourself with the thread. It is okay to run out of thread for your beads. Just weave the end of your thread through the previous line of beads so that the end of the thread can not be seen. This will be dealt with later. Once the end of the thread is hidden start your beading again with the first steps continuing your pattern.

 This is my mom working on her loom work. To keep our working space clean we used trays and plates to keep our beads separate from each other. Also using a cloth material works to.

 Once your done your bead work, carefully take it off the loom. Begin sewing the ends into the beads so the ends are not seen. Eventually it will get hard to sew into your beads because of all the thread so be strategic on where you are sewing each thread. The beads will be so filled with thread that the thread will not come out. The bead work can also become stiff. This is normal. 

This is how to make a bracelet on a loom!  I will be posting completed pictures of my bracelet soon! So stay tuned!