DIY Pearl and Chain Spike Choker (and How to Finish a Necklace with Crimp Beads)

0.diy-pearl-and-chain-choker-introphoto Sometimes you’re feeling a little ladylike…and a little edgy at the same time. This pearl and chain choker pairs so well with both demure outfits and darker streetwear easily. All you need is aluminum chain, glass beads, jumprings, and a closure. diy-pearl-and-chain-choker-done1And of course some hematite spike beads for that necessary wild child. Here’s how to make your own with some affordable supplies from PandaHall: (and a brush up on How to Use Crimp Beads, below)

You Need:diy-pearl-and-chain-choker-materials

aluminum twisted curb chain (5 mm wide)  //  silver color aluminum twisted curb chain (5 mm wide)  //  6mm white glass imitation pearl beads  //  non-magnetic hematite rectangle beads  /  matching jumprings (6 medium, can all be the same size)  //  2 crimp beads  //  2 (two) 3-strand necklace ends  //  Beadalon nylon stringing cord  //  chain cutting pliers  //  crimp pliers  //  jump ring tool (or another set of pliers)

How To:diy-pearl-and-chain-choker-step1

1. Attach one end of the chain to one of the necklace ends with a jumpring.

2. Hold the flat curb chain against your neck and decide how long you want it (mine was 14″). Use the chain cutting pliers to cut it at that point.

3. Attach that end to the other necklace end, being careful to keep the chain flat.

4. Attach the next oval link chain in the same way, making a little longer than the first so it will drape lower and lay flat.

How to Finish a Necklace Using Crimp Beadsdiy-pearl-and-chain-choker-step2

5. Crimp beads are an easy, clean way to finish a cord necklace, and they look really great. Thread one crimp bead onto the end of your Beadalon cord, leaving about 1″.

6. Thread a jumpring onto the end.

7. Curve the cord around the jumpring and back into the crimp bead. Make sure the loop around the jump ring is small.

8. Use crimping pliers to first smash the crimp bead flat (in the grooves closest to the plier center), then bend the flattened ends towards each other (in the hole closest to the plier tips). You’ll make the crimp bead into a flattened hot dog shape.

diy-pearl-and-chain-choker-step3

Voila!diy-pearl-and-chain-choker-step4

9. Attach the jumpring onto the final loop of the necklace clasp, below the chains.

10. Estimate how long you need and cut the wire a little longer than the length of the longest chain.

11. Start threadiing pearls onto the wire. Use the first pearl/s to hide the end of the wire.

12. When you are close to where the center of the wire would be, start adding hematite spike beads.diy-pearl-and-chain-choker-step5

13. Add a spike bead, a pearl, and another spike bead in a graduated manner.

14. Continue adding pearls once the center spikes are finished. Once your strand of pearls is as long as you want it (slightly longer than the bottom chain so it hangs below it), add a crimp bead.

15. Be careful to hold the crimp bead close to the last pearl, and finish the end of the wire as before. Tuck the long end into the last pearl bead/s.

16. Use a jumpring to attach to the remaining open loop in the necklace closure.

diy-pearl-and-chain-choker-done1

And that’s it! diy-pearl-and-chain-choker-done3

It’s a little fiddly and something you’ll want to do while watching your fave TV show to pass the time…but once done this 3-strand sophisticated choker has maximum impact.

You can make your own just by checking out PandaHall.com for the best beading supplies!diy-pearl-and-chain-choker-done2

Happy DIY’ing!

xo

Carly

FTC Disclosure: Pandall.com provided me with the craft supplies featured in this post for me to make a fun DIY with. I have received no other compensation. The opinions above are my own. For my full Disclosure Policy, click here.

Save

Leave Comment

DIY Spike-End Bangles: 3 Ways

0.diyspikeendbangle_introLately double-ended spike bangles are trending all over Pinterest and street-style photos: stacked with DIY friendship bracelets, pretty watches, stretchy beaded bracelets, and other metal bangles.  You could spend hundreds of dollars on even just one at Sarah Chloe or CC Skye, for example. But they’re super-easy to DIY, and the results are amazing!  Try your hand at making your own with 3 different versions in these tutorials: (more…)

Leave Comment

DIY Spike Beaded Woven Choker Necklace

diyspikebeadedchoker_introJewelry is going on the offensive this season with razor-sharp spikes, hard edges, and chains.  Make your own on-trend choker* with wire, chain, and beads, weaving them all together to create something reminiscent of Cleopatra…but with a modern-day edge.  Here’s how:

(more…)

Leave Comment

Like a Hedgehog…

Are you kidding me???!

The Sam Edelman Lorissa pump, exclusively for Solestruck, available here.

First person to DIY this gets crowned spike DIY Queen for the millenium.

What do we think? Coveting badly?  Or soooooo over the spike trend it’s not even funny?

xoxox

Carly

~If you liked this post, please share it!~

Leave Comment

30 Days of Outfits Challenge: Day 21

 LS Tee: Petit Bateau
Draped Rose Chiffon Skirt: DIY
Studded Cuff: Target
2-finger Pyrite Ring and Spike Ring: handmade by me
Diamond-pattern pale blue tights: unknown
Suedette Tie Shoes: Lela Rose for Payless (2009)
Quilted Bag: indio (Japan)
Pierced Rose Brooch: DIY

Day 21 in my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 21.

Sunday at home recuperating from the long shoot from the day prior.  But I still wanted to take a couple DIY items for a spin – and put together an outfit in dreamy pastels.

When I first saw luv aj‘s pieces, I thought they were a wonderful solution to connecting large statement pieces onto ring bases without soldering.  Many jewelry artisans cannot solder (myself included).  Not being able to do this simple construction method (though goodness knows I’ve tried!) often limits the designs you can create, especially when it comes to rings (which usually need to be soldered together lest the stone pop right off the base).

But wire-wrapping is an ingenious solution to the problem of connecting the top to the ring, and completely eliminates the need for soldering!  I tested it out on a couple similar designs.  (The drawback is the rings are incredibly uncomfortable on the fingers.  I wonder if luv aj’s versions are easier to wear?)

This skirt I made from a curtain valance.  Yes, a curtain valance!! If you ever check out Goodwill (or any thrift store that sells home items), you can probably find some curtain valances that have chiffon overlays to them.  I was struck by how beautifully they were draped – so I bought the pair ($3.99) and made a skirt out of one.  When I draped it onto my body I found the waistband wouldn’t sit right, so I did have to make some darts at the waist…and sew a front-seam and hidden fly.  It’s not perfect – it’s DIY, after all!

But if you have any valances at home lying around, or spot any at the secondhand store – they really look lovely as a draped, twisted skirt – a style of skirt that is so popular now (just look at the recent collections of Alexander Wang, Burberry, and Celine, for example).

The Pierced Flower Corsage is so easy to make: just a silk flower from the craft store, with rings threaded through it, or grommets added and rings and ball beads through those.  I made two and thought the rose one went better with this outfit.

Hope everyone had a great Sunday!

xoxox
Carly

~If you liked this post, please share it!~
Leave Comment

Pin It on Pinterest