Cupcakes and Cashmere

How To: Delicate Necklace

June 21st, 2012

I’ve been making simple jewelry since I was in high school and it’s one of my favorite things to do while watching TV or listening to music. Lately I’ve been drawn to really simple necklaces, but find that most of them are choker-length (not a great look for me). Even if you have no experience with jewelry making, these steps are easy to follow and all of the supplies can be found at a bead store or online.

Tools: Stones (I chose tourmaline), wire, chain, flat head pliers, wire cutters, and needle-nose pliers (you can also buy a set here).



Step 1: Figure out how long you want the necklace (I made mine roughly 22″ so I could slip it on over my head). Cut the chain to your desired length.

Step 2: Cut a piece of wire (approximately 3″) – make sure it’s longer than you need so that you have extra room to work with.

Step 3: Wrap the wire around the tip of your needle-nose pliers (leave some room on the ends, as these will end up tying back around the base).

Step 4: Open the loop just slightly and push the short pointed end through the last link of the chain.

Step 5: To secure the loop, twist the remaining little piece around the base two times. Cut off any extra wire.

Step 6: Add your stones to the wire. I strung on 10 (about 1″ in length), but you can add as many as you’d like. I also added mine according to color so it had a slight ombré effect.

Step 7: Repeat steps 4 & 5 with the open end of the wire.

Wear it alone or layer it with other pieces of jewelry.

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  • http://www.etsy.com/shop/InaWorldofBees Brooke Searcy

    Making jewelry is the best thing to pass the time! I love to make simple/delicate pieces like the one you did and statement ones! Go check out my etsy shop! Hopefully I will have stuff like yours soon! I have been searching for delicate gemstones to work with!
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/InaWorldofBees
    love!
    inaworldofbees

  • http://www.designers-artists.com DNA (designers+artists)

    Such a pretty necklace, an easy tutorial too!

    http://www.designers-artists.com

  • Shelly

    Very sweet. I was just wondering how much something like that cost to make…I’m thinking of packing up my friend and trying to find a bead store in NH.

  • http://www.respectedlife.org Chrissie

    The necklace is so cute…I have to try this.

  • http://www.vintagedanielle.blogspot.com VintageDanielle

    Thanks for showing the steps. I think simple is always a good choice and sometimes makes a bigger impression and statement than the bold chunky accessories.

  • http://www.etsy.com/shop/RosyTrinkets RosyTrinkets

    I adore making jewelry. Simple pieces, especially simple beaded hoops are my favorite.
    You can find somethings that are similar here at my etsy store :www.etsy.com/shop/RosyTrinkets

  • http://www.mochaandmoccasins.blogspot.com/ Monica

    I’ve always wanted to make my own jewelry, but I’ve never found a good tutorial. I like yours because it’s great for beginners, and the ombre is a great idea for the color scheme.

    M.

  • irene wibowo

    nice idea.. :) Irene Wibowo

  • http://monkeyshines-monkeyshines.blogspot.com/ monkeyshines
  • http://www.winksmilestyle.com Josie

    Gorgeous! I totally agree about length; a little extra is so much more flattering.
    xo Josie
    http://www.winksmilestyle.com

  • http://Perpetuitystyle.blogspot.com Heather

    Simple and pretty! I can spend hours at the bees store conjuring up ideas!

  • http://www.facebook.com/elda.terrazas JustElda

    Love it ! looks really nice!

  • http://www.arumlilea.blogspot.com Leanne

    Such a beautiful piece.

    Love from South Africa

    http://arumlilea.blogspot.com

  • ilelsvm

    Love this idea! Where do you buy the chain from?

  • Lila

    Emily, do you mind sharing where you found those tiny stones? Thank you! Gorgeous necklace!

  • http://www.allthingshouseandbeautiful.com Kate

    So pretty! How do you manage to find the time to fit everything in? Really looking forward to getting your new book when its out. Kate xo

  • http://fashionablecollections.com fashionablecollections

    What a great idea! Love this.

    $100 Shopbop GIVEAWAY

  • http://fromtheletters.blogspot.com Fran

    i love this tutorial!

  • http://sobeanie.blogspot.com/ Justine

    mmm love this! I would so try it but my fingers are a bit bulky for that kind of stuff. ;)

    xx
    Justine

    http://www.sobeanie.blogspot.com

  • Carol

    I Loved it!
    I just posted looks from Los Angeles and the Hollywood Farmers Market, take a look:

    http://www.thegavlaks.com

  • http://traceyaytonphotography.com Tracey

    Ooooooh so delicate. Drooling.

  • Tessa

    I loveee this! I can’t wait to make one myself! Thanks for the fabulous post as usual! :)

    http://fashionably-sporty.blogspot.com/

  • http://sprinklesinsprings.com Kara

    I’ve just recently started getting into jewelry making and this is a really simple and chic piece to make. I’m going to add this to my DIY list!
    xx Kara
    Sprinkles in Springs

  • Marie
  • http://chicfashionworld.blogspot.com/ Borka
  • Stefani

    I love the necklace that you have on too! It looks like the one I’ve been eyeing at Tiffany’s – is it the diamond by the yard necklace?

  • Corey

    Where do you find stones like that? Online or from a store in LA?

  • http://mynewsweetcarolina.blogspot.com shannon

    this is lovely! definitely marking this as a “to-do” for the summer!

  • http://julesinflats.blogspot.com/ julia

    so simple and beautiful, i’m definitely going to try this!

    thanks emily!

    xo julesinflats.blogspot.com

  • http://dcinstyle.com/blog/ Elena

    so cute! great idea
    xo
    Elena
    http://dcinstyle.com/blog/

  • http://bigsistyle.tumblr.com Jacquie

    I can’t wait to try this! I’ve been wanting to try my hand at making simple jewelry for a while :) Thanks!

    xo Jacquie

    bigsistyle.tumblr.com

  • http://ellen-blogspot.com Ellen

    Great tutorial. So great that something so simply made can look so lovely! Love! For sure making this. Thank you!

    ellen-loves.blogspot.com

  • http://ellen-blogspot.com Ellen

    Great tutorial. Love that something so easily made can look so lovely. Thanks for DIY. For sure trying it!

    ellen-loves.blogspot.com

  • http://tastearea.blogspot.com/ taste area

    this is really lovely..

    http://tastearea.blogspot.com/

  • http://littlesequinbook.blogspot.com Lauren

    So simple and chic x

  • http://www.jenventure.blogspot.co.uk Jenny

    The ombre effect on this is really pretty! x

    http://www.jenventure.blogspot.co.uk

  • http://www.aslongasitsfancy.com Tara

    LOVE THIS! I think I am going to try it today!

  • http://www.chicofyou.blogspot.com Jenny Bexi

    Love your idea!!so useful post!

    check out my new outfit post http://chicofyou.blogspot.gr/2012/06/walking-down-street.html

  • http://obsesspresh.blogspot.com Kristin

    I just started following your blog & i adore it.
    This year i am trying to make my dreams come true.

    follow back, please & thank you <3

  • http://www.jemariee.com Carina Guimarães

    Amei esse DIY! Ficou realmente lindo e delicado!

    beijos

    Cah
    http://www.jemariee.com

  • http://www.crepechiffon.blogspot.com L

    Love the necklace idea! So cute and unique <3

  • http://www.astylishdistraction.com/ Sarah

    Absolutely love this diy, definitely going to try this!

  • tia

    this lady does anything… and people like it. There are so many talented girls out there…

  • http://www.lifeandbows.com zhanna

    Im not a DIY person but you make it seem so easy. I need to try making a necklace with my daughter.

    xo,

    zhanna
    http://www.lifeandbows.com

  • http://pageonpaper.com Page

    What a lovely tutorial!

  • http://www.smilingstyle.com SmilingStyle

    Very pretty! :)

    Love accessories. Check out these, which are mostly handmade :)

    http://www.smilingstyle.com/category/fashion/accessories/

  • http://www.h-vogue.org h-vogue

    you are so awesome.

  • http://choseducoeur.blogspot.co.at/ n
  • http://www.mariekkk.nl Marieke

    Wauw, very beautiful !

  • http://www.alittlehummingbird.com Sari – A Little Hummingbird

    So delicate! I love it!
    Specially in combination with your other necklace.

    xo Sari