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I am a necklace addict. There, I said it. I don’t have pierced ears, I don’t wear a lot of rings or pins and having things constrict my wrists (like a bracelet) makes me buggy. But I can’t live without my necklaces. Therefore, I’m constantly looking for things I can turn into charms, pendants, and beads. I’ve tried everything I can get my hands on and these are my three favorites. I hope at least one of them can become one of your favorites too.
P.S. I’m going to assume you guys can handle the basics on these projects, such as straight forward strand beading and attaching the clasps. If anyone needs any pointers, though, feel free to contact us.
Watch Guts Charm
You would not believe how simple this was and how many comments people make on it. They seem to especially enjoy trying to figure out what it’s from (and they get amusingly smug when they guess right).
What you’ll need:
*An old broken watch with hands (the digital kind won’t work)
*A butter knife and/or screw driver (the tool, not the drink. Though who doesn’t love a good screw driver?)
*A jump ring (classic jewelry piece. You can either recycle this from another necklace or buy a baggie of them, typically they’re under $3 for a pack of 200)
*String and beads or chain or twine (whatever you’ve got laying around)
*Any necklace clasp of you choice (like jump rings, you can recycle or get a baggie of 20+ for a couple of dollars)
* (Optional) Super Glue – you can get this 3/$1 at the dollar store
Max cost: $6 Min cost: $0
*Max reflects the cost of purchasing everything, including optional equipment, brand new from a major craft retailer. Min reflects the cost of purchasing the essentials at the lowest know rates. Depending on where equipment is bought and/or if some equipment is already in your possession, costs may vary. Cost does not include sales tax.
How to do it:
Step 1:
Use the butter knife or screw driver to pry apart the watch face from the back (you may need to unscrew some of those minute screws watches usually have).
Step 2:
Pull out the mechanism inside. You may have to do some finagling to get the hands off the mechanism. Find a hole around the rim (this is typically where one of the aforementioned screws used to sit).
Step 3:
Open a jump ring, put it through the hole and close it up.
Step 4:
String up a strand or 2 or 5 of beads. Or use the chain or twine or whatever. Attach the clasp pieces to either end. Thread the watch gut charm onto the center of whatever you are using. I like to add a dab of super glue at this point, to the break in the jump ring to keep it from reopening.
Step 5:
Paint the town red.
Souvenir Coin Pendant
This is a great project for those foreign coins or subway tokens we all get on our vacations that seem important enough to keep but have no real purpose. Secret tip: you can use American currency if you want. This project doesn’t damage the coin and should the federal government come and knock down your door, you can always appease them by pointing out the coin can go back into circulation at any time. Ha ha! Damn the man.
What you’ll need:
*Some coin(s) (these will cost whatever their face value is. Go fig.)
*Jump rings, at least 2 (Recycle this from another necklace or buy 200/$3)
*String and beads or chain or twine (whatever you’ve got laying around)
*Necklace clasps (like jump rings, you can recycle or get a baggie of 20+ for a couple of dollars)
*Super Glue (NOT optional) – you can get this 3/$1 at the dollar store
Max cost: $6.01 Min cost: $1.01
*Max reflects the cost of purchasing everything, including optional equipment, brand new from a major craft retailer. Min reflects the cost of purchasing the essentials at the lowest know rates. Depending on where equipment is bought and/or if some equipment is already in your possession, costs may vary. Cost does not include sales tax.
How to do it:
Step 1:
Choose which side of the coin you want to face out. This will be the front. Turn the coin front down.
Step 2:
Take one jump ring and place it on the rim, half on, half off. Make sure the break in the ring is the half that is on the coin. Try to center the jump ring over the front image.
Step 3:
Super glue the ring to the rim of the coin where it overlaps. Allow for drying time.
Step 4:
Open the second jump ring. Put it through the one now attached to the coin. Close it.
Step 5:
String up a strand or 2 or 5 of beads. Or use the chain or twine or whatever. Attach the jewelry clasps. Thread the coin pendant onto the center of whatever you are using. Put a dab of super glue on the break or the jump ring to hold it closed.
Step 6:
Stand back and reflect that you are now wearing money. Bask in the joy of this.
Seashell Beads
This is so ridiculously easy that I hesitated over whether to include this one. But I feel like the seashell necklace is still associated with either little kids or those lame puka shell necklaces that seem to be the right of passage for every undergrad ever (I should know). I think this version however, has a little more class and a bit more zing.
What you’ll need:
*Seashells. A lot of them. I recommend looking for ones that are relatively flat, are between the size of a quarter and a silver dollar, and already have a pin size hole somewhere on them.
*String
*Necklace clasps (Recycle or get a baggie of 20+ for a couple of dollars)
* White seed beads (optional) --usually 3oz./$3 or less
Max cost: $5 Min cost:$0
*Max reflects the cost of purchasing everything, including optional equipment, brand new from a major craft retailer. Min reflects the cost of purchasing the essentials at the lowest know rates. Depending on where equipment is bought and/or if some equipment is already in your possession, costs may vary. Cost does not include sales tax.
How to do it:
Step 1:
Collect as many seashells as possible. The more seashells you have the fewer seed beads you are going to use. A version of this necklace using only seashells can be made easily. Clean the shells with warm water and dish soap.
Step 2:
If you are using seed beads, attach the necklace clasp to the string and thread on half the seed beads you will be using.
Step 3:
Try different combination of seashell layers until you get a spread you like. Thread them all on to the string. You may want to use a single bead between each shell for spacing. Or not.
Step 4:
Thread on the remaining half of the beads. Tie the end of the string to the other part of the clasp.
Step 5:
Now you're ready to sell seashells by the seashore. Either that or rubber baby buggie bumpers. PR
