12 Crafts of Christmas - Part 8 - Gift Idea - Flower Pearl Necklace

I think handmade jewelry makes a fab gift!

For a fraction of the cost you can replicate almost any jewelry you see!

I'm gonna show you how to make this necklace!

I've gotten lots of compliments on this necklace and a few requests for a tute so, here it is!

Supplies needed:

Beads - I used pearls in 2 sizes {glass pearls obviously} 

and maybe a few other beads for some variety.

Jump Rings

Eye pins

Thick elastic

Gorilla glue

Flower embellishment

Needle nose pliers (or jewelry pliers)

Wire cutters 

Ok, now lets get started!

Step1 - Put one of the larger pearls on an eye pin

Step 2 - cut the eye pin about 1/2 inch above the bead

Step 3 - bend the eye pin around the tip of the pliers

Step 4 - finish bending until you have a closed loop

Repeat this about 20 times or so.

Step 5 - Attach all the bead/eye pin thingys you just made together with your jump rings

This is what you should have once all your bead are attached.  A cute little chain of beads.

Now lets get working on the flower.

I used a fabric flower that was attached to a bobby pin. . .Perfect!  I only had to tweek it a bit and voila!

If you can find a bobby pin flower, it would be super easy - so look at the dollar store - thats where I got mine.

Step 6 - Remove the bobby pin

Step 7 - Put a jump ring through the hole where the bobby pin used to be

Step 8 - Create a second loop on the eye pin like you did in step 3/4

Step 9 - Put a jump ring on both sides of the eye pin.  

One one side you will attach the beads you strung together and on the other you will tie your elastic (step 11)

Step 10 - String a whole slew of your smaller beads onto your elastic.  Easy.

Step 11 - Now tie the elastic onto the jump rings on both sides. . . add a few knots and a drop of gorilla glue.

{Gorilla glue is my little trick when working with elastic.  One drop is all you need.}

If your bead has a large enough hole you can slip the know into the bead so its not so apparent. 

Once your glue is dry, your necklace is ready to wear!

There are quite a few steps but I think the end result is worth it.

Too much work for you??
Try an easier necklace like this one.

Now go and make some homemade gifts and Happy Christmas Crafting!

Ah, Lovely Necklaces!

My love of necklaces continues!
Why buy them when you can make them so much cheaper!
This one was so simple to make, and it is my new fav!

Here is an Express inspired necklace.
I like this one, I like the way it turned out.

How many necklaces can one girl make before it becomes a problem?!?

Have you made any cute necklaces lately?

Yes. . . Another Necklace!

I know, I know! But yes. . . I have another necklace for you.
But cut me a break, its a really cute necklace!

See?!?!

So totally cute right?!
You'd never know it was made from a button.

Here's how I did it.
I got the button from WalMart.
First I clipped off the back of the button with some wire cutters.
Then I sanded it down more with a metal file.
Next I glued a bail to the back and let it dry for a few hours.

(No one will ever see the back of the necklace, but if you want it to look a little better of if its a little too scratchy against your skin you could always glue a little circle of felt or black fabric to the back.)

Then you have a cute new necklace pendant!
Just put it on a chain and you're done!
I ♥ it! Its my new favorite necklace!

Pendant Necklace!

Anyone who is a frequent visitor of this here blog, may have noticed that
I ♥ jewelry!
I've been making a lot of my own jewelry lately.
Its awesome cuz now I have so many pieces to choose from and I haven't broken the bank.

Let me show you how I made this fab necklace pendant.

This is the same type of necklace that I gave away on my 100 follower post.

Here is what you'll need:
Wooden squares
Scrapbook paper
Mod Podge
Hardening epoxy glaze
Bail
Glue (super or gorilla)

I started with some wooden squares. (Any shape wooden piece would work for this.)

I made a little template to help me choose just the right paper.

Next I cut out my square of paper and mod podged them to the squares.
Give them a couple coats and let it dry completely.

Next put on a thin coat of whatever glaze you're gonna use.
Make sure you cover the whole thing.

To get rid of the tiny bubbles I used a lighter and held the flame a few inches above it. It pops them like a charm. Then I covered them with a box to keep the dust off, and let them dry and harden for 48 hours.
Once its dry, glue a bail to the back.

Look how cute they are!

I've made a bunch. . . one for every outfit! *Ü*