Weaving Marshallese-Style: I Did It!

It was one of my goals to somehow find a way to learn how to make a Marshallese bracelet. Right when we got back from our trip, I learned that the next LDS young women's activity at church was making Marshallese necklaces. Yes!

Bella (gray shirt and purple skirt) was the master teacher this time, although there are several women in the ward who are incredible at these handicrafts.

An AMAZING amount of effort is put into making the strands for the handicrafts (called "amimono"). First, someone climbs a coconut tree and chops off one of the new fronds that is growing straight up out of the coconut tree. You have to get a new one or the strands will turn brown and brittle later. Then the fronds are stripped and boiled.

After THAT they are hung out to dry, then cut into smaller strands, then (I didn't understand this part very well) the strands are stripped or scraped somehow. Then they're ready for weaving.

We were taught to put the end of the coconut strands around our toes. The basic weaving method we were taught involves weaving 7 strands together, incorporating new strands as the originals get too thin, then dropping down to three strands to make the final loop that helps latch the necklace or bracelet together.

I won't even say that I stick out like a big white thumb, because I didn't feel that way. 

I love these women.

After the loop was made, Bella took a strand of coconut leaf, took a needle, and stripped the leaf down even further to make thread for the final part. She showed us how to sew the conch shells on and sew the ends so they don't unravel.

The conch shells are not polished! All the Marshallese do is find them on the beach (ocean side, usually), bury them in the sand, wait for the ants to eat the mollusks inside, dig them up, wash them off, and drill a hole in them with a tiny screwdriver.

My finished project of the night:

Awesome. Bracelets are next.