In an effort to save money, this Christmas, I attempted to make my own gifts to give to my family and friends. They actually turned out to be quite successful, in that the gifts, particularly this one, were cheaper if more were made. For example, I had to buy a bulk spool of jewelry wire (that could be 24 – 26 gauges) to make these necklaces, which was somewhat pricey (about $14 if I recall), but I was able to make 7 necklaces with wire to spare! In addition to the wire, I needed to buy 3 beads (I opted for the fake pearls – about $0.75 each), a chain ($1 – $2), and a clasp ($0.75); all of which are available at “Bead World” in Victoria, or any regular jewelry supply shop. This came to a total of about $5.00. It would also be helpful if you have a pair of pliers that can tighten the wire at the end.
The necklaces were great because although they were cheap, they still look classy, and they can be personalized by using different colours, or by being different sizes depending on how much of a statement you want them to make.My friends and my Mom loved them.
The steps you need to take if you want to create a necklace like this of your own are simple:
First, put all three beads on the wire side by side, then manipulate the wire to get them into a triangle shape. Leave about 2 inches of the wire on the end to make the loop for the chain.The loop can be made simply by twisting the remaining wire around a small loop big enough for the chain (this is where the pliers come in handy).
Second, wrap the wire tightly around all three beads, after you wrap around about 5 times, it should start making a circle shape rather than a triangle. The first necklace I made was OK, but I feel that I did not wrap enough wire around. After adding much more wire to the second one, and created a much thicker “nest” I realized how much better it looked. I would estimate that I wrapped the wire around about 25 – 40 times, but you can tell how much wire you think looks good as you create it yourself. TIP: leave the wire on the spool instead of cutting a set piece. This make it easier to manage, manipulate, and gives you the freedom to add wire or take away wire as you please.
Once the nest is thick enough, tighten it by wrapping the wire around the nest in three separate places. Each “place” should be equal distance from one another, and each should be wrapped 2 – 3 times.
Finally, hold the loop made for the chain next to the nest, and secure it by wrapping the wire from the spool around it a couple of times. To make it extra tight, loop the wire from the spool underneath one of the “places” on the back side of the necklace.
Like this:
2 bloggers like this post.
Have you ever had a body scrub that was purchased at a store, and was very waxy, sticky, or hard to get off your skin? I have to say that 9 out of 10 body scrubs I have used possess at least one of these qualities, and the 1 out of 10 that don’t are far too expensive. As another homemade Christmas gift this year, I made a lemon body scrub that is completely natural, leaves no residue, and will rid you of rough, rigid, dead skin. It is inexpensive, and very easy to make. You need 4 ingredients, and the batch will be enough to fill 2 – 4 small jars.
