Fashion accessories from what's on hand - "free" necklace

I've been reading and enjoying the posts over at Gothique where Grey blogs about beauty and fashion. She reviews lots of indie companies and etsy shops, but best of all I've really learned a lot about makeup, ingredients, etc. More on makeup later, this post is about fashion accessories.

Going through Grey's style diary I came upon this post which was all about my two favorite colors to wear: gray and pink. One of her accessories was a large circle link necklace. I'm forever noticing everyone's jewelry anyway and thinking "oooh!"

Since I have more jewelry-making supplies than my containers can contain I decided to try making my own version with supplies I had on hand. What I discovered was that I had just a small piece of my large circle link chain left...


So I decided to extend it using some black ribbon.


Securing ribbon to soldered chain is an easy way to make your chain scraps go a little farther. And it adds a nice softness to it I think! If you try adding it to unsoldered chain it tends to wiggle its way to the opening and slip through, so either don't do it, or be careful.

If you can't figure out how to knot it, I made a confusing diagram to "help."



I ended up cutting my ribbon a bit shorter than I wanted, but also didn't want to waste it so I added some ribbon crimps to the ends so I could attach more chain. The ribbon crimps come with several in a package and are simply secured by clamping with pliers.

A jump ring connects the chain and ribbon bits on the other end.

I found another tiny scrap of chain in my "bits and bobs and leftovers" container, cut it in half and added a spring ring clasp. Now the necklace is just the right length, I used up some weird bits, didn't spend money on anything new and...


Now I have a fabulous new accessory for my new gray sweater (a four dollar steal earlier this spring from a clearance rack)!

Yep, that's the flour canister. The only place in the house with decent enough lighting for photos on a day as dreary as the one I made this necklace, is the kitchen. I'll work with what I've got.

And I've already worn it! Er...the necklace, not the flour, just to clarify. :)

And if you can open and close a jump ring, squish a ribbon crimper and have some small (smooth) pliers and a few basic jewelry supplies, you too can have a fabulous fashion accessory.

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Today's Creative Blog