The Art Audit – Tagua Nut Jewelry

Tagua Nut Jewelry

So what might appear to be a nest of tangled string, regret, frustration, and beads, actually turned out to be something I’d blog about.

We came across this Tagua Nut jewelry trend on Pinterest but it appears that the Etsy Goddesses have done an exceptional job at hiding the secrets of mastery.

With the absence of any DIY or instruction on how to make Tagua Nut bracelets, we concocted our own by trial and error.

Disclaimer, we intended on using Tagua Nuts, but since we were experimenting we used regular beads.

No bracelet will look the same and I think that’s the beauty of this jewelry.  As chaotic as it looks, I’m not a jeweler and my hands are shakey but I still managed to develop something pretty hip.

Supplies:

–       String (thin enough to fit through your beads!)

–       Tagua Nuts (or beads)

–       Fishhook Earrings

Step 1. String

To achieve the chunky bracelet look, we cut about 15 strings around 3 feet long.

Set aside about 4 strings, you’ll be using this towards the end.

If you want it less chunky, use less string.

Step 2. You Are The Jeweler

Time to go nuts. With the Tagua Nuts. Kidding. Don’t go nuts. If you’re using a Tagua Nut I suggest only using one as the grand centerpiece and then using several other little beads around it!

Thread your nut (or bead) to the center of one string. Make small knots at both ends of the bead.

Instead of solely knotting the string with your piece attached, knot all of your string together on both ends of the string, securing your bead, and creating the chunky knot look.

Step 3. Adding Beads

To add more beads you can continue to knot them this exact way. Make sure your beads line up at different areas within the string if you want them to be spread out. Keep holding the bracelet around your wrist to test it out and see if it’s  becoming “too much”. We all know that the line is fine where cute, homemade jewelry becomes “too much”!

Step 4. Closing Time

Once you’ve added all the beads you want included and have it to your desired length, take the couple of strings you set aside to tie a knot at each end of your bracelet. We want to bead an earring end onto each end of the bracelet. Bead one onto ONLY ONE string, and bead the other one onto one string of the other end. Then, tie these knots securing the earring ends within these final knots. In other words, the earring ends are only secured within the large knots on each end. They are not secured within their own little tiny knots.

Then, you will want to use tweezers or pliers to re-shape one of the earrings to be a full circle. Then, the other earring will simply loop through the circle to secure the bracelet to your wrist and allow for easy removal.