I thought I'd do some hemp beading (assistance needed)

[Anaamika]

but I can't figure out how to get the hemp through the beads. Am I just stupid? OK, don't answer that.

Seriously, having never worked with hemp before, I bought a kit, thinking everything I needed would be in there. But the instructions ask for anywhere from 1-4 pieces of hemp to be put through a bead, and there is absolutely no way four or even two pieces of hemp go through a bead unblocked. Even one is difficult.

I presume I need a needle, but that seems extraordinarily tedious - thread x amounts of hemp onto a needle, pull through, remove needle, do again next time. Not to mention I need to find a needle that both can take the hemp and still fit through the hole in the bead, which is not that big.

Do beaders know of any different ways? Sometimes you just haven't through of the obvious and other people know of it. I won't buy a beading machine because to me half the fun is beading it myself.

BTW, this is for jewelry.

[gallows fodder]

I've never done hemp beading but I can't resist weighing in! I would consider using a yarn needle (http://thebigyarn.com/images/products/yarn_needle1325.jpg). I'm not sure how using a needle could be extraordinarily tedious -- it seems like the perfect solution to me! Just thread the needle, and then thread the beads onto the cord. Voila! :p

Either that or melt some candlewax and dip the ends of the hemp cord in the wax and roll until you get a point (like creating the plastic ends of a shoelace).

[Anaamika]

The candlewax idea sounds brilliant. I will try to find an appropriate needle tonight...I'll tell you if it's too tedious. :)

[Elmer J. Fudd]

I thought I'd do some hemp beading

Is that what you kids are calling it today?

[Registered at Last]

What size of beads are you using?
Most hemp work I have seen use larger gauge wooden or even plastic pony beads. Smaller beads more commonly used in other jewellery would likely be much too small to accommodate hemp (heck some smaller beads don't even fit on the 20 gauge wire I was doing some wrapping with last month).
I agree that candlewax sounds like a great idea if you don't want to use a needle. I assume the problem with the needle is that you are doing crocheting etc between beads and can't have the needle on the end or risk injury ... right? A yarn needle does make it a lot easier to thread but I think the large head would be too big for most beads.
Good luck and post pic's when you are done. I love to see other's crafty projects. (if only to steal^H^H^H^H^H be inspired by your ideas)

[TriPolar]

Did you try using a bong? Or is that the cause of the problem?

[Anaamika]

It's just the beads that came with the kit, Registered at Last. I FIGURED they'd have a system. Aargh. They are big enough to fit one strand through, with difficulty.

And no, I don't smoke pot. If it was legal...I still probably wouldn't smoke it, but I might develop a sudden taste for brownies. :)