DIY PROJECT #1: The 5 Minute Up-Cycle Necklace

Do you have a necklace in your jewelry collection that you have never worn because it's not entirely your style, but you keep it around because it's pretty and/or has sentimental value? Well don't let it collect dust! With a little bit of creativity and know-how of jewelry trends, some crafty tools, and five minutes of your busy day, you can have an updated, "up-cycled" new necklace to call your very own DIY accomplishment. 


My ever adorable and thoughtful boyfriend recently came back from a bachelor trip to Mexico bearing souvenir gifts in hand. He knows that I love jewelry, and decided to try his hand at picking something out at the local Mexican market. Oh, and he also bought me a Mexican rug (that will also be DIY-ed into something else because I have no idea what to do with it). Bless his heart. The necklace he purchased was beautiful, and I appreciate everything that he buys for me. It had stunning beads in a deep charcoal colour that were cut into interesting geometric shapes. But something was off about it. First of all, the length of the necklace was a little strange (it sat just below my collar bone) and the beads on the strand around the neck were awkwardly small and somewhat flimsy. But I wanted to wear it! So with a little bit of thought, a pair of scissors, and some rose-gold chain, I turned it into something that I absolutely love and will undoubtedly wear quite often from now on. 


Here's what you need:

• a pair of scissors
• some gold chain (I used rose gold - about half a yard, enough so that the necklace sits comfortably below my chest)
• E600 glue
• a toothpick
• a necklace you want to up-cycle

Step 1: Carefully take apart your necklace. Since I used a beaded necklace, I had to be careful not to spill all the beads everywhere as I cut it open. 

Step 2: I discovered that it was fishing line underneath, which was perfect because all that was required was to tie the ends of the line to the chain. Now here's a helpful tip when connecting fishing line to chain - string the line through the chain first, then double it back through the last bead to ensure the knot does not come undone. Make it a double knot. 

Step 3: Using a toothpick with some E6000 on the end, carefully cover the knot with some glue. This will prevent any disastrous event of your necklace breaking. Trust me, this stuff is strong!      

Above: The original version to the left. The DIY version to the right. 

Now you may be wondering: where do I get those materials? The necklace you find in your own collection. The chain and glue, you can find at any local craft or bead store. In the Toronto area, my favourite haunts are on Queen West. When searching for chain to complete a project like this, make sure you choose one that is good quality. If it looks too yellow, it will look cheap. Try to go for a more delicate, thinner chain for a longer necklace like this. You don't want to look like Mr. T.

5 minutes? What are you waiting for? Get your DIY on!