My husband doesn't get this week's project. He doesn't understand that there is a secret code between crafters - that we can spot each other in a crowd thanks to little clues. Especially when we wear a spool of thread as a necklace. OK, it's not as weird as it sounds. Every time I go to the fabric store, I longingly gaze at the thread display. The spools are lined up like cupcakes in a bakery display, all colorful and yummy-looking. Despite the excitement, a sense of sadness sweeps over me because I know I'll never have enough time to use every hue. So rather than call a crafty counselor to vent, I bought all my favorite colors and vowed to make something fabulous. I added a few beads, some velvet cording, connected them with eye pins and voila!: the birth of a necklace that any artista can wear with pride. Keep in mind, the spool is meant to be a pendant. But if you ever happen to need some thread, you'll be in luck!
Super Spool Necklace
Supplies
1 small spool of thread
Patterned fabric or decorative scrapbook paper
1 bag of eye pins, 2 inches long each
Assorted beads
Large jump ring
Cording, ribbon or chain
Needle-nose pliers
Scissors
Glue stick

Directions: Remove the label from both ends of the spool and using the glue stick, replace with circles cut from the patterned paper. Thread a bead on an eye pin and slide on to the spool; use the needle-nose pliers to add to the jump ring at the top. Create dangles for the bottom of the spool by adding a bead to another eye pin. Repeat until you have as many as you want. Use the pliers to attach dangle to the eyehole at the bottom of the spool. Attach the necklace cord by tying it to the jump ring. If desired, cut a small strip of decorative paper and glue it around the spool.

Variations: For a bolder look, use the spools to make necklaces and bracelets. Or use it as a fan pull for the craft room, or use several to create a colorful hanging mobile. You could also use long strands of ribbon to hold spools and hang them on mug hooks in your sewing room to add a touch of décor, as well as easy-to-reach functionality. Look for minisewing kits that have micro-size spools to make smaller jewelry pieces.


And while we're at it. Aren't these pins so cute? I got them at the Renegade Craft Fair.


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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: jewelry, wearable art