Hemp Necklace
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Hemp necklace is a far cry from the usual, traditional kind of glossy, ostentatious jewellery. It is simple, cheap and expressive. Hemp fulfilled mans necessities in the olden times but today hemp accessories are a fashion statement. At any rate hemp jewellery combines two old traditions. One is the plant hemp known as cannabis Sativa, which has been cultivated since the stone age the other is the art of macram, said to have been invented by the Arabs in the 13th century and practised extensively by European sailors in the 19th century, which is making patterns out of twines and ropes by making different kinds of knots. The beautiful and simple look of hemp accessories might be the reason for some people to wear them but many people wear them as a political or social statement which is to support the cultivation of the hemp plant. One could as well be sporting it to show his concern for the environment making a choice for natural fibres for a healthy, pollution free world, but many follow it as just a fad they have just got to follow. To some people wearing hemp necklace comes across as supporting a controversial theme which is the hemp plant. It is because besides giving many useful products such as paper, clothing, food, fuel etc hemp also produces a psychoactive drug called marijuana. For this reason its production is restricted through law in many countries. While in USA this crop just can not be grown legally, in UK its cultivation requires a license. It is contended that hemp has much too many uses to curb its growth by its association with just one drug when there are other drug producing plants far too dangerous. It is also said that hemp plant, called cannabis, has to be grown specifically to contain this drug. Thus the debate goes on. While hemp products such as necklaces and bracelets are also promoted by the people of this stifled industry, people wearing it can also be seen as people who smoke marijuana and are seeking its legalisation. Hemp was very also a part of the hippie culture in the 1960s. It has come back as a big fashion statement now and is being endorsed by many world class fashion gurus. Having discussed the various reasons for the popularity of the hemp accessories let us now see what hemp jewellery looks like and where is it available. Hemp accessories come in subtle and neutral colour of natural hemp or in pleasant summer or spring colours of dyed hemp. Both look great with casual ensembles. Hemp necklaces or bracelets are woven using the macram pattern which involves making a rope by knotting the fibres together. You can find a variety of necklaces with different kinds of knots. A great variety can be found in hemp jewellery from simple knot macram to a necklace which has variety of intricate knots. Quite commonly, stones, beads, shells even jewels are incorporated in hemp jewellery which make it more colourful and flashier. These are attached by simply twining them in between the knots. Charms like sun, turtles, cross made of silver, resin, glass etc. are also sometimes woven into it to make charm necklaces and bracelets. Both men and women can wear hemp necklaces. They are no less beautiful than the silver and gold jewellery but more stylish. Hemp jewellery is quite easily available in stores that keep youngsters stuff. You can buy the stuff online too. Often people prefer to make their own hemp jewellery. It is not just a good pass time but also lets them bring out their own creativity and they can sport it with pride. You too can take it up as a hobby and also make money out of it. It is not a very difficult task. There are plenty of websites that have instructions on making simple knot structures which can help you get started. Once you have perfected them you can take help from books that teach more intricate knotting patterns. To begin with, all you need to do is find some hemp rope and beads, shells etc that you might want to add to your necklace to give it a flashier look. You can find the stuff online or in some speciality store, bead shop or hobby store. Do not buy uneven or too loosely wound hemp. Buy polished twine instead of unpolished twine which is fuzzier and difficult to work with. You can also condition a fuzzier rope by rubbing it with beeswax. The other tools that you will need are scissors, glue, craft board or simply a cardboard, beads, buttons, shells or stones of your choice, to accessorise your necklace. It would be a good thing if you can lay your hands on a good book or two on hemp jewellery, for more detailed, step by step lessons on the subject. Choose a hemp twine according to the type of necklace you want to make. For example for a thin and delicate necklace choose a twine of smaller thickness but if you want a thick, round one with intricate knots choose a thicker one. Hemp twine is available in different weights like 20 lb.(1mm),45 lb.(2mm), 80 lb(3mm) or 170 lb.(4mm). The knots most commonly used are square knots, half hitch, double half hitch. Once you have mastered these basic knots you can go on to the more complicated knots such as pretzel or phish bone which make beautiful and intricate patterns. Hemp is quite a strong fibre but it can rot and break. You must therefore take care of your hemp necklaces and bracelets if you want them to last long and look nice and new. Do not let your hemp necklace get wet all the time by wearing it while taking a shower or swimming. It will not break at once but the moisture will slowly cause it to rot and worse before it gives way it will acquire a worn out look by getting discoloured and dull and fuzzy with little fibres sticking out of it. To keep your hemp jewellery looking fresh refrain from wearing it all the time because the knots can very soon collect dirt, grime and sweat from your body. When it starts looking dirty do clean it up in the following way. Take a basin filled with warm water. Pour a little amount of mild soap into it. Soak your necklace in it for some minutes. Do not try to rub it. Rinse and pat with a towel then lay it on the towel till it gets dried up on its own. There are many advantages of hemp jewellery over other kinds of jewellery. It is cheaper as compared to other kind of hand crafted metal jewellery. It is comfortable and light. Wear it and forget it. An ideal jewellery for people who have very sensitive skin allergic to metal jewellery. It is strong and durable It is environment friendly. It can be recycled. You can derive creative satisfaction by learning to make it yourself. It requires almost no special tools and there are hundreds of books and sites to help you learn it.
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