Monday, October 25, 2010

Anthro Inspired Necklace

So, did any of you guess that the Verveine Necklace for Crafting With the Stars was mine? Thank you to everyone that voted for it:) I have never made (wearable) jewelry before...so this was a new experience for me!

Unfortunately, I did not make it through to Round 2...but I was very humbled to be a part of the top 12 and I look forward to playing along (minus the pressure!) in the weeks to come:) Getting to meet all my fellow crafters and their "stars" was great! What a fun experience!

So you want to learn how to make your own necklace? Then here we go...

Materials:

beads of choice

ribbon or string for neck piece (mine is made of shoelaces)

needle and thread

1/8" ribbon

organza (for flower)

hot glue gun (or any other glue to secure your knots)

1. First, I decided what order I wanted my beads in. Then, I chose to string them with thin 1/8" ribbon. I wanted it to be sturdy (since I have a 2 year old that likes to pull!). Space your strands out to your desired length and leave about 3" of ribbon on each side.

**Make sure the center holes of your beads are large enough for whatever string/ribbon you are going to put through them. As you can see, my bottom strand of pearls are strung with black thread because my ribbon would not fit through.**

2. I took the bottom strand of beads and tied it to my middle strand of beads on either side, making it so the beads were nice and tight on the string.

Here is what it looks like after being tied together on both sides:

3. Next, I took both strings that I just tied together (bottom and middle) and tied them to the top strand of beads.

Again, here is what it looked like on either side:

4. Now for the neck strap piece, I found a six pack of black shoelaces at the dollar store. I braided three of the shoelaces together.

To decide how long you need your braid to be...hold your beads piece up to yourself at the length you want them to fall when the necklace is finished. I pinned my shirt where that measurement was...and then used a fabric tape measure to measure around my neck from that point around to the other side.

Make the braid 1" longer than that measurement on each side.

5. Next, I took the end of my braid and fed it through a ring, folded it over and sewed right across several times with a straight stitch. Repeat with the other side of the braid.

Sorry I don't have pictures of the final stages...but I took the ribbon ends of my beaded strands and tied them onto the same rings as my braid. I knotted the ribbon, cut off the excess, and then applied a layer of hot glue around the knot to make it more secure.

For the flower, I cut five 3" circles of black organza. I took each circle and folded it once in half (to make a half circle) and then again in half (to make a 1/4 circle). I repeated with all my circle pieces and then sewed the ends all together. I then sewed it directly onto one side of my braid (covering the ring)

And that's it! Pretty easy peasy:) Once I figured out my color scheme...the actual assembly of the necklace was very easy. There are SO many different things you could do with this too. Like ribbon for the neck piece or a large silk flower on the side? I wanted to put the flower on a pin so that it could be removed and put on a sweater or something:)

Price:

ribbon: $.50

beads: $3.00

shoelaces: $1.00

organza: $.50

Total: $5.00

Thanks again to Tam over at Sew Dang Cute for letting me participate and my craft star Shelley from How Does She? for giving me great input:) I am so grateful that I got to meet both of you!

I'm linked to:

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13 comments:

  1. Hey its Cheri from ItsSoVeryCheri.com and TheDIYClub.com I am so sorry that you did not make it through to the next round. It was great getting to "work" with you on the Crafting with the Stars first project. You gals did such amazing prrojects. If you would like to have me showcase you on my blog sometime I would love to do so.

    Cheri

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  2. I loved your necklace! So very cute. I'm bummed on not making on to the next round either, but kind of glad the pressure is off, too! Whew! What a whirlwind! :)

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  3. yours was my top 2 favorites....sorry you won't be advancing, but I wanted to tell you I loved this!

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  4. Soo pretty! I'll have to make one for myself!

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  5. Melissa, I am so glad you posted this tutorial. It is truly adorable and I am making on for sure. :) I still think we should be in the next round,...but there were so many amazing projects! ;) It was so fun working with you (all though much too short)! ;) Congrats on being in the top 12. You rock. Shelley :)

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  6. I loved your necklace! It is beautiful and I am so sorry that you were eliminated! Your project was my daughters favorite so we will be utilizing this tutorial this weekend!

    Love your guts lady!
    Mandi

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  7. This necklace is so cute, I love it! But, $5.00? That's crazy. This would be 5 times that at Target, but Target wouldn't have anything that cute. I really want to try this, although I doubt I have the cuteness to adorn such a hip accessory! Still, I'm going for it. You are fabulous!

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  8. Can't believe you didn't make it through! I was in love with this necklace! I can't wait to go to the craft store to get the stuff I still need to make one. Thanks for the tutorial!

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  9. I can't believe you didn't make it either, I fell in love with this. The only thing is, how did you manage to get all those beads for only $3? Even at Wal-Mart, each variety was at least $3 each when I looked, so it would be at least $9. Could you share your secret? Because every dollar I can save is needed! Anyway, this is great, thank you for sharing!

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  10. That's so cute! You should enter it at sewmuchado.blogspot.com in her copy cat challenge. She has some awesome judges and prizes!

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  11. Well, I just finished mine...and it was $15, and that was using JoAnn coupons for 40% or more off all of the beads. Really, please do reveal how you got those beads for only $3. Did you buy necklaces at the thrift store and recycle them or something?

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  12. Me yet again--thanks for your comment and the link for when you explained your awesome bead finds! I guess I just have expensive taste, though I try not to, lol...I'm missing my camera cord right now, but if my brother ever sends it back to me, I'll def send you a pic of the one I made. Thanks again!

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  13. That's one gorgeous looking bracelet. I can't believe how simple to make one of this, you're so creative, simple materials can look this good in the hands of very creative mind. 'Love it.

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