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!