Fashion

Make Your Own Necklace

By: Joseph Akintaju on March 4, 2013 @ 6:21 pm

Statement pieces, especially necklaces, are always en vogue. Making your own necklace is a cost-effective and creatively stimulating experience. You do not have to be a jewelry designer to create a stunning piece. Imagination and practice are the keys to creating spectacular designs.

Tools

While the focal elements of the necklace will be completely individual, there are some standard materials that can get you started. Jewelry wire, a variety of jewelry chains, nose pliers, wire cutters and scissors are handy tools to keep on hand. Fortunately, all of these tools are probably already in the home, and they are easily available in craft stores; these tools are also affordable.

In jewelry making, monofilament jewelry wire is popular. Monofilament refers to a nylon-like material. It is a single and untwisted wire; monofilament wires are so sturdy that they are common in surgical sutures. Monofilament jewelry wire is compatible with all available jewelry chains. Since you might have to improvise with your design or materials, it is best to have a variety pack of jewelry chains. Standard jewelry chain variety packs will include jump rings, crimping beads, lobster claw closures and pin wires.

Materials

There a slew of materials that you can choose from when creating your necklace. Sterling silvers, charms and gold are not the only possible materials. Twigs, pieces of wood, pennies, lanyards and many more accessible items are potential materials. When deciding what materials to include in your necklace, think about any particular symbolisms that you are trying to convey. It is equally important to think about the functionality of the piece. Heavier materials will weigh more on the neck. If a heavier material is instrumental in your piece, then balancing it with lighter materials will make it more wearable. Fortunately, many jewelry materials are available in craft stores. Also, depending on how creative your design is, your materials can literally be in your backyard.

Design and Style

The design of your necklace is completely individual. It can be a choker or long strand of neon. Your necklace can be a stand alone statement necklace. It can also be a thin or chunky necklace that is ideal for layering; layering necklaces of different widths, textures, materials, shapes and sizes is still a popular trend. Your necklace can be any style from punk rock and bohemian to classic and modern.

Resources and Inspiration

If you are still having trouble feeling inspired or motivated, then there are a number of online sites that can help. For an inspirational push, try reading a jewelry designer’s blog. High-end and luxury designers’ blogs are obvious choices. Yet, many handmade jewelry designers also have blogs. For instance, Tina Tang is a handmade jewelry designer based in New York City.

While Pinterest is typically considered a place of inspiration, Pinterest is increasingly becoming a fantastic how-to source. Many Do It Yourself (DIY) Pinterest users are posting tutorials of how they created their pieces. Jacqueline Martin created the DIY Necklace pinboard that is devoted solely to creating your own necklaces. Many prefer picture tutorials because they are useful guides, and they offer more creative flexibility.

WigJig is a less known resource than Pinterest, but it is an equally inspiring and practical one. Apart from necklaces, they also provide pictorial and written tutorials for chokers and lariats. If you are new to jewelry making, then WigJig has a host of resources that are specifically developed for beginners.

This article was written by Karl Stockton for the team at birthstone colors by month.

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