How To Make A Mixed Media Necklace With Recycled Materials
Mixed media is something that I truly find fascinating. The idea of taking different materials, textures and shapes and combining them into a unique piece is just inspiring. After making my water bottle flower pendant, I was looking for a way to use it as a focal point in a mixed media statement necklace. I also wanted to incorporate other recycled items into the statement piece. I used paper beads that I made, drops from an old chandelier, the flower pendant and several new beads to give it an effortless, bohemian feel. I wanted the necklace to have a lot of movement, so I made long drops by using head pins and eye pins to connect several beads.
One thing I would like to mention about making this necklace is that it is an intermediate to advanced project. Besides the paper beads and water bottle flower pendant, this piece requires simple loops, wrapped loops and also the ability to use crimp beads. There are many steps involved which may be overwhelming if you've never tackled a project of this level. If you're a beginner, I would recommend trying a few simpler projects before you try this one.
One thing I would like to mention about making this necklace is that it is an intermediate to advanced project. Besides the paper beads and water bottle flower pendant, this piece requires simple loops, wrapped loops and also the ability to use crimp beads. There are many steps involved which may be overwhelming if you've never tackled a project of this level. If you're a beginner, I would recommend trying a few simpler projects before you try this one.
Project Tips
- Keep an open mind. Almost anything can be used to make jewelry. Do you have small toys or trinkets you want to add to your jewelry? Go right ahead!
- For the stringing part of the project, use a nylon coated stainless steel beading wire with a high number of strands (it should say something like "softest drape"). If you use one with a little number of strands, it'll be too stiff. Try Beadalon or Accu-flex
- Use nail clippers to cut the beading wire. Don't use your pliers for this- they'll get damaged.
Materials
- Water bottle flower pendant: Water Bottle Flower Pendants
- Paper beads and other upcycled items for the drops
- Beads of your choice
- Nylon Coated Stainless Steal Beading Wire
- Wire
- Crimp Beads
- Head Pins
- Eye Pins
- Jump rings (various sizes)
- Clasp
- Extender Chain
Tools
- Jewelry Making Tools
- Nail clippers
- Crimping Pliers
- Tape
Project Instructions
Step 1. Make your drops. Think of how full you want your necklace to be and also decide on the length you want the drops to have. For longer drops, use 2 or 3 eye pins connected to each other. Beads with holes drilled on the top will require a wrapped loop with wire. Don't string too many beads on one eye pin or head pin because you won't get as much movement. Lay out the drops as you make them to get an idea of how it will look. Mix your recycled beads with new ones for an interesting effect.
Step 2. Set aside the drops. Take 2 head pins and string on a few beads of your choice. We'll be using these head pins to connect to the braided part of the project.
Step 3. Cut 3 lengths of nylon coated stainless steel beading wire to about 28 inches. Attach the beading wires to one of the connectors using a crimp beads. I like to string a small bead before the crimp bead so that the wire is not too stiff. Trim off excess wire using nail clippers.
Step 4. String beads onto the 3 strands, try to make the 3 strands the same length. Use the beads of your choice. I recommend mixing a few sizes and textures for visual appeal. Once you're done stringing the beads, add on a crimp bead and a small bead (to mirror the crimp bead and smaller bead on the other side). Fold a piece of tape over the beading wire to keep the beads from sliding away.
Step 5. Begin to braid the strands. You may also want to tape the starting point so that the necklace doesn't move around while you're braiding it. Don't braid the strands tightly, you want there to be plenty of movement and space to add the drops. When you reach the end, add the strands to the other connector using the crimp beads and trim off excess beading wire. Don't crimp the strands too tightly because you'll be adding the drops to the strand and need a little room to add the jumprings.
Step 6. You're now ready to start adding drops to your necklace. Begin by finding the middle of the necklace and adding the water bottle pendant flower as the focal piece. Use jumprings to add the drops to the necklace. Simply add the drop to the jumpring and attach the jumpring between beads on the necklace. Continue adding drops to the necklace until you've used all the drops you made.
Step 7. Add a clasp and an extender chain to the ends of the necklace.
You're now ready to wear your one-of-a-kind mixed media necklace!!!