Lately, I've been realizing that all of my jewelry looks the same. I love simple gold necklaces, rings and earrings. Sometimes at outfit calls for something more colorful! I always admire statement necklaces when I'm shopping, but for whatever reason I'm nervous about buying them. I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and make some fun, colorful jewelry. Here are the first two necklaces I made…
I painted some wood beads and purchased some colorful beads from the craft store. Next I used a small piece of twine to string five small beads. I tied these strings to each side of a necklace chain and added a hook to the back of the necklace.
Here's the finished necklace. I love the frayed twine look, this is defintitely something I would wear. If you're a fan of something more "finished" looking, here's a second easy necklace idea…
To create this fun design, you'll need a pack of 2 inch head pins, jewelry pliers, wire cutters, chain and beads of your choice. Add 1-3 beads to each head pin, twist it onto the chain forming a loop then trim the excess wire and press the loop together with your pliers. Repeat until you've added the perfect amount of beads for your look. I used about 35 pins to create this design.
I can't wait to try a monocromatic version of this design next!
Do you like making your own jewelry? I think I'm actually getting addicted. I did this one project over the weekend, and it turned into like… five! Fun. :)
xo. Elsie
107 Comments
Cute!! Great accessory for Spring!
Jillian – http://epic-thread.blogspot.com
ooh I love this DIY! I’m definitely going to try out both of these methods 🙂
Lovely! The monochromatic version sounds great too!
http://sarahthearchitect.com/
LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!! The colors are amazing,
I love the idea of making your own so it’s unique!
Carina
http://carstina.blogspot.co.nz/
Hmmm… this looks fun and easy. A good thing to do with my junior high girls!
Love this!
Please check out and follow my blog! I’d really appreciate it! http://seasidebeauty.blogspot.co.uk/
beads galore! i am currently making my own earrings out of birch so i am definitely in a jewelry making state of mind. pretty different to that new york one i tend to be in, haha.
well this is super gorgeous and looks easy!
kw ladies in navy
Cute and fun DIY for a “day off” from work when I’m feeling crafty. Thanks for the idea Ladies 😉
Love those blue & white beads! Gorgeous. Love easy DIYs 🙂
xx Allison
http://www.thrifted.ca
Love the necklace! 🙂
This is so fun, I love playing with beads, actually I’ve got quite a stash that I haven’t used for ages, I must do something about that!
I really the first necklace, I have one similar to the second and it’s pretty heavy
http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/
Looks very colorful and fun – I like it!
M.
This is a great DIY project for jewelry beginners! I really want to get into making my own jewelry because statement necklaces can be so costly. Thanks for sharing!
http://www.sincerelysammie.com/
GREAT DIY! VERY COLORFUL!
XOXO
http://www.marshylicious.blogspot.com.ar
I certainly need some new jewelry- I love the beaded look combined with the chain. Will try!
http://www.onesweettuesday.com
I love making my own jewelry too. You piece looks lovely..
xo janika
http://crazysketchbook.blogspot.com/
The second necklace is so cool, have you ever thought of jewelery designing?
http://www.beblacknblue.blogspot.co.uk
http://www.bloglovin.com
So nice! Love the blue and white beads! xx
Great!
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.com
Sweeeeet D.I.Y always nice to wear something you’ve made!
Alex of Alex Rose Writes
So cute! Is been wanting to try something similar with wooden beads 🙂
xo Jac
thesunshinedistrict.blogspot.com
super cute! I recently made some necklaces that are very similar & I’ve been wearing them constantly ever since: http://livelaughloveandlindsay.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-to-make-beaded-statement-necklace.html
Ooo, lovely!!
very clever!
http://theeoptimist.blogspot.com
I think that 2nd one is particularly lovely – but then I am a lover of bold, statement pieces 😉 Would love to see the others you made sometime!
Love them both! I used to make some pieces, but haven’t in a while. Might have to break out the supplies.
these are gorgeous! love the wooden look with the gold chain!
Amy
http://theblankpagesblog.blogspot.com/
This is gorgeous!! Looks like something from Anthropologie 🙂
Erica of
sweet-endeavors.blogspot.com
love the chunky necklace! and the simple one is cute too!
Love the explanation with the pliers, thanks for making it easy to understand. 🙂
I’m so excited to see a simple statement necklace! A lot of statement necklaces feel so bulky. This is perfect: simple and bold at the same time!
liveandmoveblog.wordpress.com
They are both so beautiful!
http://www.mariacroqueta.blogspot.com.ar
Oh wow! I love both of those necklaces! Especially the white and blue beads, they are fantastic.
Love these! I have tried my hand at making jewelry a little, and have recently been thinking about trying to get back into that. Perhaps you’ve just inspired me!
I love this! I can’t wait until I’m able to get to a Michaels to get supplies to try this!
The second necklace is a bit too gaudy for me, but I love the first one! I’m always weird about statement necklaces, too. Pretty in the store, but I never feel like they’re for me!
xo Heather
http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/
Loving this! I’m obsessed with making my own jewelry… you heard me, OBSESSED. I don’t have to search the stores to find something that’s my style, I can choose from my massive ridiculous wall of jewelry that I’ve made. Or make more. And more :O It’s fun mixing and matching, layering etc. 🙂
Thank you! I love it!!! XO! ♥
I love that bead in the center of the first necklace–so pretty!
http://findingmyinspiration.blogspot.com/
Oh my, those necklaces are so cool! My sister and I actually did a similar post awhile ago!
>> http://thehonestfox.blogspot.com/2013/01/diy-minimalist-bracelet.html
xx
http://thehonestfox.blogspot.com
Brilliant idea! I’m so giving this a try this week. Thanks so much for the post! 🙂 xx
lemon-freckles.blogspot.com
The secondo option is amazing!
My project for next week, start and finish a necklace like this!
Love the necklace!
Very nice and good idea. Great day.
http://www.fashiondenis.com/
Very cute necklace! I love the big pearls
Awesome DIY, looks quite simple to do xx
I have never made my own jewelry but I don’t like jewelry all that much. I have one pair of earrings and a few necklaces and that’s about it.
I love your designs, though.
I like this, it’s simple and pretty!
So cute !
http://www.thestilettoholic.com
Love from Paris
I LOVE to make my own jewelery, especially earrings.
Love it!
I think I know what I’m gonna attempt when I get home!
Esther x
http://www.esther-aw.tumblr.com
Both of these are oh.so.pretty!
I love the colors…they just pop! It’s cool that you like making jewelry because I just went shopping for more supplies for my jewelry making skills yesterday. I’m learning how to create some out of natural pieces from nature. Very cool, Elsie!
http://www.girlsandhappiness.com
Oh wow… the necklace looks gorgeous! You are so talented! There’s a really nice beads shop near where I live so I might try it out myself! x
http://www.letitbecosy.com
monochromic would look lovely too!
http://iamturquoise.com
Wow. Love love! If only I was that talented!
I love the simplicity and asymmetrical design of the first one. So pretty and such a lovely colour palette 😉
I am definitely going to have to try and make top one!! Both of them are fabulous.
-Charlotte
boyerfamilysingers.blogspot.com
I really love that top one, such a good idea to make your own.. they’re always so expensive whenever I come across one I love x
Love the second necklace especially. DIYing statement necklaces also makes so much sense when you consider how much a decent statement necklace costs compared to how much wear you might get out of the piece.
Love these beads!
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/soap-and-glory-lid-stuff-eyeshadow-quad.html
Great idea — I love the mix of a gold chain and wood beads. I actually just bought a similar necklace from a local artist who makes all of her jewelry with vintage chains. Thanks for sharing!
Obsessed with the first necklace! LOVE the frayed ends, gives it a little something. This would make such a meaningful gift for a girlfriend. Thanks for sharing!
brandy j | http://www.prettyplainjanes.com
I love making jewelry, especially necklaces. Its also nice when someone asks you “where did you get that necklace?” and you can say I made it!
This diy is so cute and I love the color combo. The gold chain really makes those orange and red beads pop.
Katie
http://runningwithagluegun.blogspot.com/
I love making my own jewelry! I make rosaries as a side business! Lately I’ve been into very chunky pearls, I’ll email you pictures once I’m done with this batch.
Melinda
Oh how fun! I love making jewellery. I really should get around to doing it more often xxx
http://www.couronnedefleurs.net
Seems so simple to do!
I love it, and can’t believe it’s so simple! x
RAVES ‘ND RAMBLINGS
very cute, i’m looking for bridesmaids gifts and this might be the perfect thing, for them to also wear on the wedding day!
The second is so lovely! I don’t really dig the string knotted at the end girls… I don’t think that looks very classy… just my opinion though
Love the bead colours!
Bundana
@ http://www.bundana.blogspot.co.uk
Grea DIY project and an easy way to get a new look on the cheap! I like to do a final coat of paint with fingernail polish on small projects like this- it’s shiny, sometimes has a metallic sheen, and it’s safe against you skin! Plus no worries of the color rubbing off on your clothes.
Thanks for the inspiration!
How funny, I just posted a d.i.y. for a painted wood bead necklace with gold chain on my blog this past weekend! And I made a monochromatic version! Mine also happens to have bits of gold and a few glittery accent beads. Apparently there is just something about spring that makes people love necklaces again, maybe because we don’t have to wear giant knit scarves anymore – or at least thats how it goes up here in Canada 🙂 I love how cheerful your version is!
You can see mine here: http://themostdelightfuladventure.blogspot.ca/2013/04/diy-painted-wood-bead-necklace.html
These are so pretty! they remind me of something you would find at Anthropologie!
Maggie
lovestylehappiness.blogspot.com
Gorgous! My blog is all about jewelry making 🙂 and beware, it’s addicting!! If you’d like some more inspiration here are my DIYs: http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/search/label/Jewelry
Also, if you ever would like any jewelry guest posters, let me know!!! xoxo
I love making my own jewelry! This is a great project, I’m going to have to buy some colorful beads now. Or even make some!
Love this! Super cute! Off the the craft store!
Elizabeth Kathryn
lifeandlaughter.typepad.com
I just started reading your blog and I love it!! I recently started a little business to make some extra money (aka: support my crafting habit). I opened a store on etsy to share my jewelry creations. http://Www.etsy.com/fourkidslater I hope someday to make it my full time job. Keep your fingers crossed!
Rebekah
You can also check it out at http://www.facebook.com/fourkidslater
Love,love,love the second one!
xoxo
Love it, looks really great!
Lauren
livinginaboxx
I’ve been making jewerly as gifts and a hobby for a few years – I love it!
sorry for an offtopic comment, wanted to add it to the original article, but the comments were closed.so, here goes: i used your tall’n’skinny font in my blog makeover, it was free so i thought i could. if you disagree, please let me know …
mylittleriot.blogspot.com
Making jewelry is a lot of fun. I had a phase of making earrings and bracelets for friends (and myself, too). Every now and then I just take out my old supplies and throw something lovely and unique together. 🙂
Those bright colors are beautiful! I’m not much of a jewelry maker but I think even I could pull this off! Thanks!
too cute *_*
this looks absolutely amazing. I’m going to have to get some supplies to make my own necklaces. beautiful work & unique too!
Yesss 🙂 I love making my own jewelry! I’ve being doing this for like years… since I was a little kid!
I made a very similar necklace! Yours is gorgeous!
http://beautifularmcandy.wix.com/arm-candy#!product/prd1/589632251/the-gables
I love this! I seriously have so many beads from broken necklaces and I should recreate them. Love how simple and beautiful yours turned out to be.
-Ashley
http://pencilleddaydream.com
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS! i CANT WAIT TO TRY!!
This is totally unrelated to this post but I just did a post about my sister that I think you gals would enjoy, if only we were as cool as you two . . .
http://thezaleinvail.blogspot.com/2013/04/sister.html
Love y’all,
Betsy
Unf i love jewellery making. I haven’t updated/focused on my jewellery etsy in a while, now I’m totally stoked especially w summer break coming up to get started again.
These are lovely designs btw! I love the beads
xo
http://kittysnooks.blogspot.ca
When I was younger I used to make beaded necklace all the time, so naturally, I love this.
grace
http://herumbrella.com
I recently started making jewelry. It is such a fun hobbie and I love it! Thanks for this great idea!
~ Hanna
http://www.simplywanderous.com
Cute as always.
Girls you should visit my page for beautiful handmade jewellery!
gypzygirlbymickey.blogspot.com/
pinning this for that moment when i feel that itch to REALLY do this 🙂
hearted this:)
Lovely !!! Will try doin something like that!!
http://secretsofmissdaydreamer.blogspot.in
Such fabulous necklaces. I love the blue and white beads in particular.
I too love making my own jewellery. I had a blast making these alpaca felt ball necklaces (http://littleivyblog.com/felt-ball-necklace/) and these resin bangles (http://littleivyblog.com/resin-jewellery). The resin bangles were like a high school chemistry experiment but with a much better end product!
Love this simple idea to have a unique necklace
I love statement necklaces, especially combined with a black dress or something like that. Makes me feel dramatic 😉
Lovely !
Check out my new outfit post :
http://hidinginheaven.blogspot.fr/2013/04/the-one-with-leopard-coat-theory.html
THE FIRST ONE!
Such a fun and cute DIY!
xoxo
Juliette Laura
juliettelaura.blogspot.com
i like the more finished look better. i’m a fan of big statement necklaces with bold colors.
love, moon
http://xfallenmoon.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/xfallenmoon
Color me impressed! I always want to make something but am not the crafty type. This looks like something I could do – I might give it a try. You should sell your designs!
Heather:www.tulsalifestyled.com
very nice site good looking your site thanks for sharing information i enjoy this blog.
so beautiful
http://ccchinachic.com/products/fashion/fashion-jewelry/c-126/