I think of summer as an ode to nature’s finest, with gardens, picnic blankets, and farmer’s markets overflowing with the crunchiest vegetables, the sweetest fruits, and the freshest herbs. There is nothing quite like a midsummer feast! Macedonia-based crafter and teacher Maya Kuzman, a.k.a sewella, takes the celebration of this bounty one step further in this week’s How-Tuesday post, with tips on how to turn the seeds of your favorite melon into an adornment to last the whole year.
My name is Maya Kuzman and I blog over at Little Treasures. I am an English teacher and translator by profession, but I’m also a devoted knitter, a struggling crocheter, and an aspiring seamstress. I have always been inspired by nature. Today I’m looking to the fruits of nature to create a fabulous melon seed necklace.
Supplies you’ll need:
- Melon or watermelon seeds
- Markers or nail polish
- Wooden beads
- Fishing line or a cotton thread
- Thin embroidery needle
Directions:
1. For the melon seed necklace, scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Wash the seeds in warm water with mild washing detergent to remove the slimy fibers. Then let them air dry in the sun. I usually place them on a cotton napkin so they won’t stick to it when dried. It’s helpful if the seeds are big because they are easier to manipulate.
2. When piercing the seeds, it is best if you do it in the middle; if you make a hole near the edge, the seed might split.
3. Once the seeds are dry, I love to add a little color. For my necklaces, I used ordinary markers — you can also use nail polish for a more finished and glittery look. I painted half of the seed because I like the effect they create when strung together.
4. With a thin embroidery needle, string the seeds on fishing line or cotton thread. You can introduce wooden beads (for a more organic appearance), plastic beads, crocheted flowers, etc.
5. Tie a simple, yet secured, knot and you’re done. Choose your favorite colors, string the seeds and make yourself some organic jewelery!
Extra Tips:
- Keep your necklaces in a dry place and do not expose them to moisture. My oldest melon seed necklace is about 15 years old and looks as if I made it yesterday.
- Pumpkin and squash seeds are not appropriate for this type of project since they tend to dry, shrink, chip and break. However, watermelon seeds can be used instead.
- If you have plain wooden beads and want to color them, stick them on a toothpick stuck into a corkboard (or Styrofoam board). This makes it much easier to paint the beads.
If you make this project, share your results with us in the How-Tuesday Flickr group!
140 comments
TallyLocke said 9 years ago
Wholly cow! Stunning! This would be a great project to do with my niece! Thanks so much for the how-to!
ALittleDot said 9 years ago
beautiful!! Great idea.. love it
WhisperingOak said 9 years ago
How lovely. What a great tutorial. Thanks!
RetiredRecords said 9 years ago
Love this idea, I have some left over seeds that are too old to plant this would be a great use for them.
igasdesigns said 9 years ago
Wonderful jewelry!
accentonvintage said 9 years ago
Nice summer craft idea! Love your creativity!
jammerjewelry said 9 years ago
Wonderful article, Thanks!
TheUntamedHeart said 9 years ago
This is super fun! Thanks for sharing!
lindaketelhut said 9 years ago
Brilliant! Beautiful necklaces. Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea!
AlpineGypsy said 9 years ago
Ohmygosh! So cool, thanks~ Heidi
LittleWrenPottery said 9 years ago
Wow thats amazing! I love how the addition of colour makes quite the statement...
overthemeadow said 9 years ago
Super cute! Great idea and looks fab!
NoMoreTwistHandmade said 9 years ago
when i was a child growing up in new mexico, we used to make necklaces out of dried corn or maize kernals in imitation of our pueblo indian neighbors. the corn could be dyed or painted to create really similar style necklaces that are formed from the same concept of using every part of our food! thanks for this really innovative and attractively simple project!
paramountvintage said 9 years ago
i love this project. wooden beads have always been my favorite, but seeds? what a great idea!
beadfreaky said 9 years ago
This it too wonderful! Thanks for sharing :)
aBreathofFrenchair said 9 years ago
What a fun project!
CreationsArt said 9 years ago
I loved this project. Very innovative, using seeds as beads..!! Thanks for sharing.. :)
nanouke said 9 years ago
Looks amazing! I'm not sure how do you get your seeds to be white, maybe the washing and the sun drying take care of that :)
nanouke said 9 years ago
ahhhh melon seeds! :D
pedazos said 9 years ago
Just when I thought there was nothing left to bead. This is great!!!!
MootiDesigns said 9 years ago
Very creative. Great idea, colors and designs. Thanks for sharing!
Iammie said 9 years ago
So creative.
TheLittleRagamuffin said 9 years ago
When I was a little girl I adored a necklace my mom once made out of apple seeds which she strung and weaved into the most intricate pattern. Last year I found it again in her jewelry box and was equally as delighted. When she told me I could have it I felt like a kid all over again. I treasure that apple seed necklace and imagine all of the apples my mother ate in order to make it.
KcSoapsNmore said 9 years ago
awesome. Can't wait to try this one.......
dollybirdboutique said 9 years ago
love this, great project x
redhardwick said 9 years ago
Cool idea, love the colors!
StudioDevinat said 9 years ago
Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
cathlinmn said 9 years ago
Love this so much!
skyetaylorgalleries said 9 years ago
About stringing watermelon seeds the Great Skye Taylor ;) said it best. "In order to have success in the watermelon business, you must first SUCK SEED (succeed) LOL
CraftZany said 9 years ago
Oh this is just too cool! Now I know my next jewelry project! Perfect for summer and cheap! I can see pumpkin seeds all over my bed. Maybe I should head into my studio for this project! Thanks for sharing!
BeppeMartha said 9 years ago
Love it!!!
NiChaPoN said 9 years ago
Good sharing.. love it
TreasuryShop said 9 years ago
Cool idea!
M0MITA said 9 years ago
Looks fabulous! Thanks for sharing! I love to work with natural materials.
ThoseThreeWords said 9 years ago
Super fun! Would be a cool bracelet too, love this idea! Thanks for sharing.
HumbleElegance said 9 years ago
Wow. I am definately going to try this . So creative
GardenApothecary said 9 years ago
loves it! you are never bound to go hungry with that on!
neighborhoodvintage said 9 years ago
I LOVE the natural aspect of these!!!!!!! Don't you dare see my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/neighborhoodvintage?ref=pr_shop_more
neighborhoodvintage said 9 years ago
I LOVE the natural aspect of these!!!!!!! Don't you dare see my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/neighborhoodvintage?ref=pr_shop_more
PassionFlowerVintage said 9 years ago
What a great idea! Thanks!
WeddingLab said 9 years ago
That is wonderful! Thanks!
ExpressingDevotion said 9 years ago
Great project--could be especially fun with kids!
myvintagecrush said 9 years ago
Beautiful! I love how only part of the seed is colored, so special!
lowercasejdesign said 9 years ago
One summer I single handedly ate 3 full size watermelons over the course of a month. It was the best snack EVER. I don't think my mom was too thrilled that no one else was getting any watermelon! Maybe now I'll make her this necklace as a way of thanking her for all that watermelon.
dontblinkalabama said 9 years ago
When I was little...we used to make necklaces and bracelets out of butterbeans...what memories this story just brought me!
ruddlecottage said 9 years ago
Beautiful! What patience you have!
Kagie said 9 years ago
I love your jewelry - what a wonderful idea!
zatanah said 9 years ago
That's really cool! Very creative.
verde86 said 9 years ago
Love this! I remember buying these in Jamaica...they made them from watermelon seeds. Definitley going to try this :)
verde86 said 9 years ago
Love this! I remember buying these in Jamaica...they made them from watermelon seeds. Definitley going to try this :)
MerCurios said 9 years ago
What a fun project! This brought back so many childhood memories of crafts with my aunts. thank you.
HouseOfMoss said 9 years ago
This project is beautiful! Thanks for sharing, Maya!
jpgphotography said 9 years ago
What a fun how-to... at first glance they remind me of a puka shell necklace.
girltuesdayjewelry said 9 years ago
What a great summertime project!
RedbirdGreen said 9 years ago
Can't wait to do this with my girls this summer!
Lilsugarskulls said 9 years ago
Love the Article...I love the "Carnival Ring" very nice♥
aldari said 9 years ago
Love it all! Thank you!
Rewoodtoys said 9 years ago
This is awesome. What a great article. Repurposing at its best :)
WoolnFelt said 9 years ago
coolest necklace EVER
YesterdaysMuse said 9 years ago
This would be great to do with a number of different seeds. I like how you painted them, but they would look just as great in their natural shades for us earthy toned people!
pbmay said 9 years ago
Wow--thanks for the tutorial! Definitely a grandma and me project!
TheScarfTree said 9 years ago
So pretty and so effective! Thank you for sharing!
ChrissiesRibbons said 9 years ago
Oh this is so fun... Love!
sewella said 9 years ago
Thank you so much on the overwhelming comments!! Truly appreciate this!
blevison said 9 years ago
What an amazing idea. Can't wait to make these at the beach!
de12812 said 9 years ago
I get seedless watermelon and will have to look for seeded now!! I bet the black seeds would look pretty too. Must buy watermelons soon! Thanks!!
WristletsnThings said 9 years ago
Wow! This is definitely a cool idea. Thanks for the how-to.
ohbabydotcom said 9 years ago
Fantastic!
mudhousedesigns said 9 years ago
I love it! Natural and recycled necklaces ROCK!
HandiworkinGirls said 9 years ago
This has got to be one of the most original "How-Tuesday" posts I've ever read. Way to go, thinking outside the box! :)
styleforlife said 9 years ago
AMAZING!!! Love this blog post! :-))) xx EL Vintage
BeautyPower said 9 years ago
Great idea
BeautyPower said 9 years ago
Great idea
BeautyPower said 9 years ago
Great idea
BeautyPower said 9 years ago
Great idea
cattuslavandula said 9 years ago
*imagines hungry birds stalking the wearer*
FabricFascination said 9 years ago
What a great idea. Beautiful too.
saburkitty said 9 years ago
Adorable!
kathyjohnson3 said 9 years ago
Love the necklaces, how creative!
TheMommalady said 9 years ago
I'll never look at a seed as garbage again. Very Clever!!
Pixelality said 9 years ago
I made one of these with Cantaloupe seeds about 20 years ago and it's still holding up great. Instead of coloring the seeds with markers I soaked them in liquid food coloring. That gave them a lovely, soft hint of color. Then I strung them with seed beads. The finished necklace can be a little pokey on the skin if you're sensitive to that sort of thing.
ResaArtDesign said 9 years ago
Love it! Great organic idea. Looks like something my grandmother would do as she was all about repurposing!
MishaGirl said 9 years ago
What a cool idea, to use seeds as beads!!!!!
marytaelliott said 9 years ago
i like to work with seeds!! sometimes you can also fry then to get a brownish color
ManilaExtract said 9 years ago
Great tutorial! Before moving to Hawaii, I never thought of using botanical seeds, nuts, etc. as beads. However in Hawaiian lei, flowers & ferns are often adorned with kukui nuts & peka’a seeds. I use Hawaiian, botanical seed beads to embellish zippers on my clutches :).
rozzie said 9 years ago
FREE MATERIALS yes! :)
CathsKickassArt said 9 years ago
How cool is this!
drumchick99 said 9 years ago
It's the macaroni necklace for adults!
rozzie said 9 years ago
just realized how rare it is to find a watermelon with big black seeds these days... (Calgary, AB, Canada)
viltalakim said 9 years ago
super !! let the summer vacation start please!!
BanglewoodSupplies said 9 years ago
Watermelon seeds. Awesome.
twamies said 9 years ago
This is such a great post. I have a few vintage seed necklaces & love them to death!
MisplacedAncestors said 9 years ago
A recycling your seeds make this a perfect necklace for gardener. Very cool idea.
IKLyndojewelry said 9 years ago
Love the way u work with seeds:) i have found that if u paint the melon seeds with edible dyes they last last longer and give the seeds a beautiful pastel color :)
IKLyndojewelry said 9 years ago
Love the way u work with seeds:) i have found that if u paint the melon seeds with edible dyes they last last longer and give the seeds a beautiful pastel color :)
IKLyndojewelry said 9 years ago
Oops! I didn't mean to say the last longer, I meant the last long too ;) cheers!
printsnpatterns said 9 years ago
This is fabulous! I love the way you painted half the seed to keep its organic look. Smart.
Notcathy said 9 years ago
Very artistic and fabulous necklace.. :) iRenew
CreationsdeFlorence said 9 years ago
Love it! Now that my kids are off from school, we'll give it a try.
KateHeidi said 9 years ago
where do you get your seeds from? I spent all day yesterday looking!
TidbitsOfColor said 9 years ago
What a unique idea! I love reading these stories of creative people. I'll be making one of these seed necklaces for sure now :)
teconlene said 9 years ago
Love this idea!! I'll try it! Thanks for sharing :)
stargazer00742 said 9 years ago
how creative! :D
StuffByKim said 9 years ago
Love the unique take on the seed beads
unmisted said 9 years ago
What an amazing idea<3 I will definitely be saving my seeds now to create one of these great necklaces.
go2girl said 9 years ago
These necklaces are beautiful and original Maya, thanks for sharing!
2VirgosDesigns said 9 years ago
gorgeous idea! thanks for sharing.
glassypainterdesigns said 9 years ago
Great post, Thanks for sharing!
aedrieloriginals said 9 years ago
So fun! Thanks so much for sharing. :)
TheArtOfGreatness said 9 years ago
What a lovely project! I'm certainly going to give it a try :) I make paper mache beads to create necklaces and bracelets and they are lots of fun! Thanks for the tutorial!
whitenoisemaker said 9 years ago
Love it!
samsstuff said 9 years ago
Cute idea! Thanks for sharing this tutorial with us :)
Fianaturals said 9 years ago
I love and use african seeds!!!
AVATARB3DCOV3R said 9 years ago
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GoshnPoche said 9 years ago
Aren't the most simple, most natural things the most beautiful ? Beautiful !
junebugjunction said 9 years ago
I cant wait to try this!!!!
JandRDesigns said 9 years ago
You are so talented...what a fantastic idea. I think you have a lot more patience that I do tho. Thanks for sharing this great idea.
TheSunshineStore said 9 years ago
I love it!
kfwilsonstudios said 9 years ago
Nice and tribal - love it!!!!
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AnnemiekeA said 9 years ago
Beautiful and inspiring
THREEerincadigan said 9 years ago
I love the half painted seed, it really adds depth. This is a great project for adults but also kids. Maybe even a "make your own jewelry birthday party!" inexpensive, non toxic and cool!' Great idea ***3EC***
in2ition said 9 years ago
absolutely beautiful!
eastwitching said 9 years ago
OMG - this has whisked me right back to the 70's summers when my sister Julya and I made up our own makeshift "shop" on the pavement outside our parents real grocers shop and sold our sunflower seed elasticated necklaces! Can you believe it! We would gorge ourselves on the special summer treat melons after having scooped out the pulp and pips. We washed and dried them and the needled them on to elastic thread. We had nothing as sophisticated as your colours or dye and some old pensioners must have taken pity or thought us cute as they bought some:) Brilliant fun and thanks for bringing back my memories. I was an Etsyian before Etsy was a twinkle in someone's eye:) Ali x
lillebeart said 9 years ago
Seeds- the original bead.....still modern and yet still unique. Awesome
JennysFunCreations said 9 years ago
That's awesome. :)
byajay said 9 years ago
I remember making these at Brownies years ago! must get eatting some melon now! great work Maya! By a Jay x
MagdaleneMichelle said 9 years ago
Well done!
whimsicaljewellery said 9 years ago
Love the concept of using seeds. gonna start saving mine from now!
MomMind said 9 years ago
Cool idea!
VERXATIL said 9 years ago
such a creative idea and ECO-Friendly.. ill give it a try :] thanks for sharing!
CameronsJewelryBox said 9 years ago
Wow! This is soooo neat! Who would've ever thought that you could make watermelon seeds look so beautiful!
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Shreyasi Sharma from ShreyasiSharma said 9 years ago
super creative!! Thank you so much for sharing!! love the tip on painting beads! can't wait to make one!
beatriz leitão from B2Shop said 8 years ago
Nice work,congratulation!
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