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.fashionwrapup.com Hannah

    Yes very delicate! Love it! Will go great with other necklaces…For sure going to try this! Thanks so much
    -Hannah

  • http://www.vitaminfaq.net/2012/04/pomegranate-juice.html pomegranate heart

    I like your wonderful site. topnotch stuff. I hope you release others. I will continue reading

  • Kate

    That is a beautiful necklace you made! I LOVE your handmade necklace paired with the necklace above. Would you mind sharing where you purchased the top necklace?

  • http://www.extraskinny.com xs

    such a thoughtful diy post. the ombre stones were a nice touch.

  • http://www.inmyhighopinion.blogspot.com Daelyn

    Beautiful necklace! the ombre was a great idea. such a simple tutorial- mine turned out great! I can’t wait to wear it this summer :)

  • Laura Petrillo

    Very beautiful. I believe in less is more. :) My daughter loves it too. We are inspired by this because making jewelry has always seemed so complicated and this is very doable. Thank you :)

  • Pingback: The Beaded Lady – Pinterest Challenge « Popcorn on the Stove

  • http://www.cappuccinoandcream.com Carol

    this is beautiful, I want to do it myself xoxo

    http://www.cappuccinoandcream.com

  • Toni

    Thanks so much for the how-to!
    I’ve just recently discovered your site and so happy to have found it.

    Great ideas and beautiful photos!

  • Lauren

    Now I know what I am giving everyone for christmas!!

  • Audrey

    Hello ! Your blog is amasing. Full of ideas and beautiful pictures with summer colors. Sorry for my English, I’m french so it’s a little bit difficult. For the necklace, I would like to know something… Where did you find the chain ? I mean what I don’t know if there is Gold or not. We need Gold to make this jewel ? I think so … To have a great quality…

    Thanks you for details, that make me feel good to look your pictures ! :)

  • http://lintvintage.com Christian

    This is an adorable dainty diy piece. I love it! I’ve shared it here on SocialBliss: http://www.socialbliss.com/lintvintage/dying-for-diy-GE2TQNBZ/how-to-delicate-necklace-cupcakes-and-cashmere-G44TANRV

  • http://www.janetashton.blogspot.co.uk Evangalene

    This is such a beautiful necklace, its amazing how easy it is to make such a timeless piece!

  • Eliza

    Where did you purchase the chain and the wire? Can’t wait to try this!

  • http://0liviaschoice.blogspot.com Olivia Wells

    Thanks for your nice comments on my blog :)

    xx Olivia

    http://0liviaschoice.blogspot.com

  • Aneeta

    Beautiful necklace! Just wondering…which gauge wire did you use and what mm was the necklace?

  • Linda

    Beautiful! Can you tell me where you purchased the necklace?

  • http://www.webelieveinstyle.net Noemi

    This is so cute, and it looks quite simple, I think I’m gonna try to do it.

  • Adra

    I love this DIY; it’s really great and just what I’m looking for in a delicate necklace. Just wondering but would you mind sharing where got the top necklace you’re wearing? It is so beautiful.

  • Ana

    I love the DIY! Where did u get the other necklace though its so pretty! pleaaase answer! :)

  • vallllche

    I love this necklace, this looks so gorgeous, so delicate!
    I love how you describe the process to make it! And I can’t believe how easy it is to make it!!! Let’s try to do it now!

  • Janet

    Thank you so much!! I was just wondering what I needed to purchase to make simple necklaces!! Perfect! Thank you thank you!!

  • Chantal

    Beautiful. Where did you purchase the beads? Are they available online?

  • https://www.torontoauctionhouse.com online auction site

    fashion and beauty diaries very beautiful .

  • http://thefamilystandardblog.com Adriana

    I want to make these now!

  • http://www.deconstrut.blogspot.ca Charlotte

    So cute! I like how its delicate and tiny and can essentially be paired with anything!

  • Sabrina

    Super cute. I found this on CraftGawker and love love love it. A idea: I made one for my friend with beads spelling out an inside joke in Morse Code. I used light green beads for dashes and light blue ones for dots. To anyone else it just looks like pretty random beads, but we’ll know exactly what it means. It needs to be a pretty short word (I used “Yoko” and it was just about perfect, but you could use smaller beads).

  • Caroline

    So beautiful and delicate,Emily!
    Thanks for the amazing idea! (:
    xo from Brazil
    Carol

  • http://glitterandgapske.blogspot.com/ Alyssa Gapske

    My mom and I are making these at girls night tonight. So excited!

    glitterandgapske.blogspot.com