Collar your creativity for necklace

Kathy Cano-Murillo
Special for the Republic
Nov. 17, 2007 12:00 AM

Creating a necklace has never been easier, thanks to recent trends. The latest craze is mixing and matching contrasting chains, beads and papers to make a one-of-a-kind wearable statement.

Even easier, you can use an existing chain necklace and take it apart to make it your own.

Before you start, sketch out your design ideas to ensure you will have a cohesive look.

Paper and Chain Collage Necklace
Supplies
3 wood squares (1 inch each)
White craft glue
3 pieces of decorative paper (1 square inch each)
Silver paint pen
Dremel tool
Needle-nose pliers
12-inch medium chain
7 medium jump rings
6-inch chunky chain
1 multistrand connector
3 pieces of fine chain (1 inch each)
1 eye pin
1 bead
1 necklace clasp
Directions
1. Coat the wood pieces with a thin layer of glue and apply the paper. Draw a line around the edges with the silver paint pen. Using the Dremel tool, make two holes on each piece of wood so you can connect the wood pieces.

2. Using the needle-nose pliers, connect one of the wood squares to the medium chain with a jump ring. Add the other two squares in the same fashion, followed by the chunky chain.

Now add the connector, and the three strands of the fine chain. Thread a jump ring through all three strands of the fine chain and connect to the hole in the eye pin.

Add the bead and use the needle-nose pliers to bend the wire over onto another jump ring. Connect that to the medium chain. Decide how you want your necklace to hang, and then use the pliers to make a break in the desired chain and add the clasp.

Click here for printable directions.


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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: collage/paper, jewelry, wearable art