How to Re-String (or Make) a Necklace

A few summers ago, I found this coral necklace at a yard sale for a buck!  I loved the length, but hated that the coral was strung on a ratty cord that ended in a knot.

It didn't look polished and even though I gave it a good wash, I totally grossed myself out thinking about how much neck sweat was trapped in that cord, so I never wore it.  I finally decided to re-string it and add a clasp.

Here's how to re-string a necklace (it's super easy!):

Supplies:

• Necklace to re-string (or beads for a new project)
• Beadalon brand coated wire
• 2 crimp beads
• Clasp (this magnetic one is cool)
• Crimp pliers (a good investment if you'd like to make your own jewellery)
• Wire cutters or scissors
 

Steps:

String a crimp bead onto the coated wire and then add one end of the clasp.  Thread the wire back through the crimp.  Using the small indentation in the crimp pliers, bend the crimp into a "C" shape.  If you don't have crimp pliers, you can buy a small crimp and just squash it flat with needle nosed pliers, but using the crimp pliers creates a tidier, more secure closure.  Occasionally, a squashed crimp would fail, which is why I finally invested in this tool. 

Using the larger indentation of the crimp pliers, fold the "C" shaped crimp bead onto itself, clamping it tightly.

Then, simply string on your beads, burying the end of the bead wire in the necklace.

When you get to the end, thread on a crimp bead and the other half of the clasp.  Pull the coated wire through a few beads and pull tightly.  Trim the end of the wire and bury the tail in the necklace.

Repeat the process for securing the crimp bead, and you're done!

With this simple technique, you can make striking necklaces and bracelets from scratch, or re-work pieces you own, in minutes! 

A note about coral: Coral is a marine invertebrate that lives in colonies.  These colonies form a hard skeleton and the skeleton of this sea creature is what is used for coral jewellery.  Coral is important to marine life but is being harvested indiscriminately, which is a serious problem and could lead to depletion.  This is why coral jewellery can be unethical to wear and I was conflicted about purchasing this piece.  Truthfully, I'm not sure if my necklace is real or faux, but it seems a waste not to enjoy it.  I bring this up because the use of coral is problematic, so to ignore this issue would be irresponsible on my part.  If you're interested, you can read more about coral here.   

DIY Bullet Shell Casing Necklace

I finally made the DIY shell casing necklace that I've been wanting to make for months.  I'm pretty excited because it looks just as fabulous as I hoped it would (a successful DIY project is always cause for celebration). 

I love the combination of the rugged shell casing (which has been fired), with the sparkly quartz.  Want one?

Supplies:

• Bullet shell casing (ask a firearm-loving friend - you can also find them on Amazon)
• Rough cut rock crystal/quartz spike bead pre-drilled across the top (like these)
• 24 gauge wire
• Needle Nose Plier
• Drill and 1/16" drill bit (or another small size)
• Pipe cutter (this one is similar to ours - same brand as well) or small saw
• Metal File (like this one)
• Safety Glasses (did you know they come in hot pink???)
• Jewellery chain (something in an "antique gold," like this one, suits the brass casing)

How to make a shell case necklace:

Clean the shell casing:

I collected a wide selection of fired shell casings on our last trip to the firing range.  I cleaned all the casings in the same vinegar bath & baking soda scrub I used to clean my penny for my penny ring project.  Although the gunk came off, the casings kept a nice patina which I was happy about.  Be sure to thoroughly rinse all vinegar and baking soda. 

Find the right size crystal spike:

Finding the right size crystals was tricky.  I brought one of each size shell casing to craft stores in search of the right stones.  I finally found a strand of crystal points at a local bead shop in Thunder Bay.  I'm happy I brought the casings because these stones are naturally irregular and only four or five fit well.  I suggest checking out your local shops first.

If ordering online, pay particular attention to the size of the beads.  Specifically ask the seller if the stones will fit in a tube the diameter of your casing. 

Rock Crystal Rough Point Stick Beads from Etsy

Drill a hole in the casing:

With the crystals purchased and the shell casings cleaned, Hubby and I headed to the garage where he drilled a hole into the top of each casing (wearing eye protection, of course!).

Saw the end off a rifle casing:

The handgun casings were ready to use, but the rifle casings needed to be sawed off.  A pipe cutter worked really well but if you don't have one, a jeweller's saw or a plain old saw will work.  If using a saw, wrap a piece of paper towel around the casing so your vice grips, etc., don't mar the surface (see third photo).

One thing to note: although more uniform, the pipe cutter slightly curves the end of the casing inward.

File the edges of the casing:

We used a metal file to gently file the metal at the cut edges and also where the holes were drilled.  Work on a piece of paper towel to catch the filings and I recommend wearing gloves - the little metal bits are itchy as hell if they work their way into your skin.  Trust me.

Wire wrap the crystal spike:

I grabbed one of my crystal spike points and strung about five inches of the wire through the bead.  I worked with one end, wrapping the wire tightly against itself.

Then I threaded the end of the wire up through the drilled hole.

Using a pen, I wrapped the wire into a circle (the pen helped me keep the shape, but you can freehand it) and then wrapped the wire tightly around the base of the loop.

Add chain!

Finally, I added chain from the craft store.  I made mine long enough to slip over my head, like with my DIY agate necklace, to avoid a clasp.  I simply opened one loop, attached it to the other end and, voila, a fun new shell casing and crystal necklace!

Variations:

Alternatively, you can also drill two holes in the side of the casings (use a nail to make a dent first, so your drill bit doesn't slip off) and run the chain through the casing.  With this method, you can even use a hunk of rock glued into the casing, instead of a proper bead, and string the chain through the holes.

Here's an example of how that would look, from etsy seller Changes Jewelry:

As another variation, instead of drilling the top you can push the primer out, but then the hole is inset.  We used a nail set to push it out (which may not be the best tool for the job, but it worked).

Let me know if you have any questions about how to make your own shell casing and crystal spike necklace!

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DIY Agate Pendant - How to Turn an Agate Slice into a Necklace

Like my new DIY agate slice pendant necklace? 



After ogling and pinning a slew of dyed agate necklaces, I started to really want one.  I actually had a pretty agate pendant as a kid (I've always liked rocks), but for the life of me can't find it now.  With my travel looming, I just couldn't fathom coughing up the $40+ bucks to buy one.

These Stunning Necklaces are From: LEIF; Vintage Pinch; LEIF; Little Things Happen

But I couldn't pine any longer, so Hubs and I made a couple of these DIY gems.  

Yep, Hubby helped me make these so I could snap photos.  How sweet is that?  Did I mention we did this DIY on his birthday?  I wasn't being cute when I admitted that I am a bad wife!

Supplies:

• Agate slice (here's a colorful multi-pack, though I favor these teal ones)
• Jewellery bail
• Chain
• LePage Gel Epoxy
• Pliers & wire cutters (or another cutting tool)
• Small file (unless you find a bail meant for stones without a hole)

We started with two slices of dyed agate I bought at the gift shop of the New England Aquarium, for $1.99 a piece.  They remind me of a fun trip we took together.

We grabbed some silver bails from the craft store, but they needed some customizing.  Yep, Hubs came with me to the craft store, too.  How else can I use two 40% off coupons on the same day?!?

These bails are meant to be affixed to a stone with a hole in it already (I  couldn't find the kind without the pins locally), so we snipped the pins off and then filed the inside gently:

If you don't mind ordering online, you can find bails that just glue right on to a stone, like these.  But I do prefer the extra security of a bail that grips the stone from both sides.

We used our favorite LePage gel epoxy to attach the bail.  You mix the two parts together on the spot and have to work quick, but the hold is strong!

Hubs dabbed a touch on to both sides of the bail and then slid it on to the stone, squeezing it tightly:

The epoxy sets really quickly, but I still set it aside overnight before wearing it.

I had also grabbed a spool of some silver plated chain from the craft store (with the second coupon, haha).  I snipped off one link to make the chain the length I wanted and strung on the agate pendant.

Then I used pliers to open a link at one end, which I looped on the last link at the other end and closed.

And that's it!  You could add a clasp if you want a shorter length, but mine are large enough to slip over my noggin.

I've been rocking the dark blue one with my bright orange Calvin Klein dress (from Winner's) and the pink one with pale greys.  I love how pretty these are - and how inexpensive!  Using craft store coupons for the chain and bails, both necklace together cost less than $10.00 (I'm not counting the epoxy, because that's a staple for us)!  These DIY agate slice necklaces would make such sweet gifts.

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