HANDMADE STATEMENT NECKLACE

Hello everyone, I am really excited to show you a project that I have been working on over the last week - my very own DIY chunky mixed metal, pearl & rhinestone necklace.

I had been searching online for a new statement necklace, and I had a rough idea of what I was looking for, but after an hour or two of scrolling through various websites from retail stores to etsy, I found that most were from £50 - £100+, and the thought occurred to me why don't I just make my own?

So, I visited a shop in Glasgow called 'The Number 1 Bead Shop' with Donna (my boyfriends mum, as she makes jewellery herself. See Purple Lily for a looksie). I picked up real natural pearls (£6 each for a strand) and some random chains of different metals such as silver, gunmetal etc. The rest of the chains I ordered from eBay all for around £1 each, I also ordered lobster clasps, and jump rings for putting the the necklace together.

To make the necklace yourself, you will need some pliers to cut the metal and some beading wire for the pearls, and to tie various strands such as the rhinestones to the jump rings. I was lucky to be able to borrow these jewellery making supplies from Donna's kit.

It is a relatively simple process:

• measure out the strands 
• pick out which chains you want next to each other
• twist them round one another and tie them to the jump rings 
• measure out the back chain and fit to a lobster clasp
• show off your awesome unique necklace

Have any questions? Feel free to ask on my comment section below.