Crafting Jewelries in Wood
The use of wood in jewelry making has been practiced since the dawn of time. People of ancient civilizations adorn themselves with jewelries made of different natural materials as a form of status symbol or to ward off evil spirits.
During those times, our ancestors only had access to natural materials such as shells, stones, animal bones, teeth, and wood. Aside from its abundance, wood can be easily carved and shaped into different forms. This is probably why wooden jewelry has always been tagged as native, tribal, and cultural.
The increasing awareness of people on environmental issues has somehow paved the way for the fashion world to take a second look at the use of wood in jewelry making.
The use of wood in jewelry making has come a long way. With technology advancement, wood can now be processed, treated, dyed, and polished. Among the thousands of wood species, the ones that are commonly used in jewelries include bamboo, sandalwood, maple wood, rosewood, and lacewood. These species of wood are used for jewelry making for their aromatic properties or grain pattern.
Sandalwood for example, gives off a very soothing scent that is believed by Hindus to help clear the senses. Rosewood has a very exotic dark color and beautiful grain pattern. It is said that rosewood can ward off negative energy and strengthen the aura of a person.
Wood can be used to make earrings, bracelets, anklets, and necklaces. Aside from making jewelry in pure wood, wood beads can also be combined with other materials such as glass and plastic beads. They are assembled using nylon strings, threads, or elastic strings. Larger pieces of wood with unique shape and intricate grain patterns are made into pendants as is or glued to other materials like metal and clay.
Wood beads, as they are called in fashion jewelry making, come in different shapes and sizes. Wood beads in spherical, oval, tubular, round, flat, abstract, and diamond shapes are very popular in jewelry making. These wooden beads come in their natural colors or painted with different colors and patterns. Depending on the craftsmanship, people wouldn’t even notice that the beads are actually made of wood.
Gone are the days when wood jewelry is labeled only as tribal or native. Jewelry designers have come up with fabulous designs incorporating laminated wood with crystals, semi-precious stones, and stringed using gold or silver-coated wires. Wood beads combined with leather and made into fashion jewelry is very chic and trendy.
However, we must remember that wood is a natural material. Some people might have allergic reactions to specific components found in wood. People who have sensitive skin might experience some kind of irritation in prolonged contact with some wood specie. Treated or laminated wood used in jewelry making are exposed to chemicals. Just with any other material exposed to chemicals, they might cause adverse reaction to some individuals.
Wood is one of the most natural and comfortable materials available in fashion jewelry making. Let us take advantage of their natural aesthetic value.
Wooden JewelryLocal Sources for Wood Beads Jewelry Making
