Beautiful jingling beads made of coins or monisto, as they were called in the old days, are not very difficult to make. But you will need perseverance and patience in this matter for sure. But then on your neck will show off a spectacular decoration in the style of "ethno".
Beads made from coins are also called "monisto". This is an Old Slavonic word for an ancient piece of jewelry made of coins or, less commonly, stones. Such a necklace could be small, but could cover the neckline, bust and reach the very waist, becoming like an expensive silver chain mail. Monisto was worn by well-born women and men from about the 12th century in Russia and Byzantium.
Materials for monisto
To make a monisto, you will need:
- coins of different diameters. You can use money from different countries made of metal of the same color (yellow or white);
- carabiner - bead clasp;
- decorative chain;
- the base on which you will sew the coins (linen, braid or brocade);
- threads;
- thin line;
- nippers;
- thin drill and drill;
- large beads.
Method of making monisto
Drill the coins with the thinnest drill yourself or take them to the shoe workshop - they will help you there.
Make a pattern and cut a brocade or linen base around it. You will sew coins on it. The shape of the base should resemble a crescent moon. The inner side can be outlined around the round collar of the T-shirt. Place the fabrics right sides inward and sew together, leaving a small unsewn hole. Through it, turn the product to the right side and sew the remaining gap by hand.
Collect coins on the table in a symmetrical composition, repeating the prepared base along the contours. Then sew the coins to the fabric, exactly repeating the created composition. Start with the middle coin, stepping back 0.5 cm from the top edge. Then sew on those that should be nearby. Watch for symmetry. Please note that the holes in the bottom row should be covered by the top row of coins.
Take a long, sturdy, slip-on chain. Attach it to the edges of the base using metal rings on both sides. Do this so that the middle of the chain hangs below the base and then forms the bottom row of monisto. Measure the middle of the chain and attach a 5-kopeck coin to this place, and attach one 1-kopeck coin every 6-8 divisions.
Attach two more pieces of the chain to the edges of the base with rivets. Attach a carabiner to the end of one piece. Adjust the length of the chain and attach a ring to the end of the other chain. Together with the base, the chain should form a necklace that does not fit snugly to the neck in length.
Gather the beads on a thread or fishing line. Take beads of 2-3 colors in gray-blue tones. Sew the bead thread to the top of the base from one rivet to the other.
Your ethno-decoration is ready.
