DIY Network

Seed Jewelry Grow a new jewelry wardrobe with seeds. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-306

Dress up this medallion with seeds!

You've heard of seed beads – but what about seeds as beads?

Michele Beschen shows how to create beautiful jewelry using seeds alongside beads and found objects in this easy how-to. These versatile legumes come in a wide variety of colors and shapes, and can give a distinctive flair to your jewelry wardrobe.

Scroll down for Michele Beschen's how-to, and get ready to B. Original with seed jewelry.

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	Figure A
	Figure B

Seed Jewelry

Materials:

large seeds
Indian corn
rotary tool with small drill bit
needle-nose pliers
Tacky Wax
beads
jewelry materials to modify
jump rings, clasps, other jewelry findings

• Michele Beschen likes to make jewelry with larger seeds. Small seeds are harder to work with, and you have to do more of them to finish a piece.

• Stock up on Indian corn when it's in season for a supply of jewelry-worth seeds. Gently work the corn off the cob – Michele Beschen says the hardest part is getting the first row started (figure A).

• Using pliers or Tacky Wax to hold a corn kernel or other seed in place, drill a hole through the seed with a rotary tool (figure B). Don't drill too close to the edge, or the seed may split. Beans also work well for drilling.
  

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

  Figure E

• When all the seeds and beans are ready to go, link them together using jump rings (figure C), elastic cording (figure D) or wire. Add pretty beads, or attach the seeds to a bracelet as charms.

• To dress up a mother of pearl medallion, Michele Beschen drilled a few holes at the bottom of the medallion and attached seeds with jump rings (figure E).

• You can leave your creation natural or add some shine with a spray of lacquer.

Get some seeds, drill them up and you’ll have a naturally beautiful collection of custom jewelry!