Make Your Own Necklace

Posted by Recession Diva in Art Projects, Featured | 3 comments

Making your own jewelry is fun, creative and makes wonderful gifts for the females you love!

For the last few years on my birthday, I wore black, to mourn for my youth. However, this year I told my friends I am going to be doused with my birthstone Peridot. I want to have so much Peridot on, I look like a meteorite. Now I know Coco Chanel said, “Before you leave your house, you should always take one item off.” And under normal circumstances I follow her rules. But I don’t care how gaudy I am on my birthday. I told my girlfriend I had bought my birthday outfit and was going to start making my jewelry and she said, “You already bought your birthday dress? Its July your birthday isn’t until August.” I said, I’m a double Leo and I have to get ready.” (Between me and you… I’m turning 30! ssshhhhhh… don’t tell)

So obviously this is a big one, and I have to look fabulous.  I have a jewelry graveyard, where the earrings  go to die, along with broken necklaces and jewelry I know longer wear.  I also have a great store in Downtown LA called Bella Findings. I like to go there to get great deals on strands of semi-precious stones. I went to the store and bought two strands of Peridots and they were 50%  off. This made my total cost $18.00.

Next, I looked in my jewelry box and picked out stones and charms I had that went with my Peridot theme. This included Amethyst, green beads and a Peridot heart pendant. I had the heart since I was in middle school so I was thrilled I could reinvent something so sentimental. I then designed my birthday jewelry. By the time I was done, I had enough Peridot to make a necklace, earrings, a bracelet, an anklet and an anklet and necklace for my Leo girlfriends.

These chunky necklaces, made out of semi-precious gems, are not cheap. Here is a comparable necklace, sold for $350.00.

You will need to hit up your Craft store to buy crimp beads and Tyger Wire. You can watch youtube videos if you want, or you can get step by step instructions on how to make your own jewelry in my book. You can also take a course on beading at your local community college. For the strands of semi-precious stones, there are two websites I use  Bella Findings and Fire Mountain Gems .

Jewelry is a wonderful way to make an affordable outfit seem expensive. I love creating jewels, wearing rocks and even giving away something that sparkles. With a little practice you too can have fabulous jewelry, made from real gemstones, to go with every outfit.

P.S. People complement my jewelry every single day, it feels even better when your prize necklace was something you designed.

Good luck and may creativity be with you!