Creating crafty & artistic dread beads

Last week we started working on new dreadlock rings. Since we want to have full freedom in creating various shapes and sizes, we are opting for a base material of polymer clay. This will also allow us to use many colours, textures and be able attach different organic stuff, such as shells, stones, gems etc.

Our previous stock consisted of an amazing collection from Nepal. The best sellers were bone and coconut. They all had interesting engravings of tribal and spiritual / religious symbols. Here are the last 4 rings that remain from the previous stock.

Clockwise:
1- Silver plated spirals ring (Eur 5)
2- Buffalo Bone large rings with lines (Eur 12)
3- Coconut ring with Buddha Eyes (Eur 8)
4- Brass ring with engraved circles (Eur 5)

Today I searched for some inspiration on the internet. We like to have a look at the creations other artists make. First of all to ensure that we do not create something which is already out there; and secondly, browsing other work provides inspiration. And when we breathe in inspiration, we eventually breathe out creativity! 

The new dread rings that KEEP CALM AND GET DREADLOCKS will feature will be keeping the same 'Tribal' theme, adding also a touch of 'Bohemian' and a pinch of 'Dark-adelic'  

Something between this:

and this

and this

And now let me share with you some beautiful work from other artists on Pinterest and Etsy:

Let's start with flowers

Playing with polymer to create special effects and textiles

 

 

Creating motifs and symbols

  

Embellishing

Mushrooms

  
Skulls

Characters and animals

Rainbow - simple, easy and effective!

And to finish off, here are some real cool dread rings.

Starting with this amazing Ganesha

Poetry on dread rings - this is definitely an original idea!
 

Shaped dread beads  - so cool

Also a very original idea - look like Scrabble marbles - create what you want!

Charming Beads and Delicate Rings

Decorating dreads is for me one of the best benefits of having them! And there's practically no limit to what you can put. From inserting rings and endless charms to hanging buttons and beads of any type! 

Let your imagination flow... 

or get some ideas from here :)

I'm gonna start this post with my most favourite dread deco... seashells!
They are cool, they are organic, and they are perfect for the Summer! 

Cowry shells remind me of my Indian summer... collecting handfuls and handfuls of cowrys from the sand after the gentle waves brought them to me!

I love conchs too... can you hear the waves and the wind? Whenever I see a beautiful conch I can almost smell and taste the sea too!  

Next are some cool images of... well... charming beads ideas for your dreads!

Brass and Metal Dreadlocks Rings

Charms hooked on Dreadlocks

Skulls

If you prefer something simple and effective, try string wraps with plain beads in natural colours; they're an amazing combination.

Silver tunnel rings and brown criss-crossed string wraps look great on blond dreads.

Another idea.. make your own beaded string dread with a mix of your favourite beads and an awesome pendant at the end.

This reminds me of my friend Emma, who left for long-term travelling and before leaving asked all her friends to put something in her dreads. Soon after her hair was looking like a museum. If you like this style, just go with it, and keep adding!

Pearl beads are perfect if you have only a few dreads with your natural hair. 

Macrame hair strings come in various shapes and sizes. Include some round beads and buttons too!

If you know how to play with polymer clay these are so cool and so easy to make. Dreadlock rings for the 7 Chakras! Ohm Shanti Ohm!

Or maybe you prefer traditional Dreadlock rings.
Most organic rings you will find will be made out of coconut, bone, horn and wood.

When you fix a charm or a bead to your dreads, better to place it on the bottom half part of your hair, so that it will not press upon your skull when you are lying down.

t

However you decide to decorate your dreadlocks, remember to do it in style!
It will be a creation game of showing your personality!