When you see the words alpaca jewelry, most people think of silver jewelry from South America. This type of jewelry really has nothing to do with alpacas. There is another kind of alpaca jewelry...designs that are actually made from the wool of an alpaca.

The easiest of this type of alpaca jewelry to make is the felt bead. You can felt the beads by rolling alpaca fiber that has been dipped in hot, soapy water between the palms of your hands in a circular motion. Start out gently and then add more pressure until the bead is round and firm.

Now, what do you do with this bead you have created? You can easily make a necklace by using beading string and a needle. String several beads together to create your alpaca jewelry. Or you can mix other types of beads with your alpaca bead to make an interesting combination. Finish with a clasp.

You can, also, use stretchy string and string your beads to make a bracelet. Use a beading needle to pierce your felt bead and pull your stretchy string through the bead. Add other beads and tie off your unique alpaca jewelry bracelet.

Another fun way to make alpaca jewelry is to use wire and some basic wire wrapping techniques. You can get your felt bead on the wire by gently forcing the wire through the bead. Twist while you are pushing and the wire should go through the bead. Make sure your fingers are out of the way on the end the wire will come through or you may pierce a finger, too.

A better way to get the felt bead on your wire is to make a hole first. Take a small, sharp nail and push it through the bead. Remove the nail and quickly insert the wire before the hole closes. Now, you can add more beads or wrap the wire to finish.

You can make felt ropes for your alpaca jewelry. Felt ropes make wonderful necklaces. Use several different colored felt ropes and add a pendant for a great look. Make them the same way you made your felt beads except instead of rolling the fiber in a circular motion in the palms of your hands, rub your hands back and forth.

You will be amazed at how many alpaca jewelry designs you can create using just these two simple felting methods to make beads and ropes. Start looking around at other jewelry and think of a way to make it from alpaca fiber. It will challenge you and be fun.

About the Author:
  Debby McCandless. Read more about alpaca jewelry. Debby McCandless has raised alpacas for seven years and creates characters and jewelry with the luxurious fiber they produce.