DIY: Gold Spike Necklace Tutorial

Sometimes projects are born from unprecedented levels of snowed-in boredom. Well, maybe not boredom, per se, because I rarely get truly bored (my mind would need to stop racing for that to ever happen - thanks brain!), but after four days without so much as opening your front door, you learn that there are only so many Netflix documentaries, internet k-holes and weird drink concoctions available to occupy the mind.

When in need of an activity, I often turn to jewelry making, and since I couldn't drive out of my parking spot, let alone to a store, I was left with just my own craft stash to make this little guy. I would've maybe done some things differently if given the option, but I think my little golden Frankenstein necklace, made from random bits and beads, is charming in its own thrown-together way. Here's how I made it, and may you never have another snowed in weekend in which to try this.

WHAT YOU NEED

Gold Stud or Spike Beads (these are from Joann's)

Gold Tube Beads

Gold Round Beads

Beading Wire

Jewelry Pliers

Wire Cutter

Jump Rings & Clasp

Crimping Beads & Crimping Tool {not pictured}

Small Length of Chain {optional}

HOW TO MAKE IT

First, cut a length of beading wire (I like to cut it WAY too long just in case, because I'm paranoid). Start stringing the spike beads on the wire, placing a round bead in between each spike. Don't skip the round bead - it adds just enough space to allow the spikes to fit flush next to each other (otherwise the spikes with splay up and down, like in the supplies photo above).

Continue stringing in this pattern until you're pleased (with the length of the necklace, not just pleased in general...we've already established this is a snowed-in project so that is not possible).

Use the gold tube beads to fill in the space on either side of the spikes along the beading wire. If you use gold wire (which you should if you have it, I was just working with odds and ends in my supplies) you could skip this step and let the wire show for a more minimal look.

To finish off the ends of the wire, I created some loops that can attach right to jump rings. To do this, I trimmed the wire, looped it back over itself so that the end tucked into the last gold tube bead in the row [below top]. Then I slid on a crimp bead over the loop, which I first squished a little to make the bead fit [below middle]. Then I reopened the squished loop [below bottom].   

Next, use a bead crimping tool to secure the crimp bead. Repeat this process on the other end of the necklace. {If you're new to crimp beads, read this post where I talk more about them}

I finished my necklace by attaching a small length of chain with a jump ring to those newly formed loops, before adding more jump rings and a clasp to the free ends of the chain. This is all optional, and you can simply attach jump rings and a clasp right to the wire loops.

You can wear this spiked necklace in a neat and orderly way (above) or jostle it for a wilder look (I mean, it is a metal spike necklace, right?). Just don't let it poke you in the throat. Not that I did that or anything. You know what? Maybe make yours longer than mine.

I typed 'the wire' so many times here that now I want to watch The Wire. You're in my head, Omar!

Are you into spiked and studded jewelry? How many days has the snow kept you inside against your will? Or are you into all this snow?

STYLE: OOTD Blue Studded Vest

I'm baaaaack! Sorry for the unintended break around here - I've been busy looking for a place to live and moving unexpectedly (long, horrible story), but we're finally settled in and I'm finally ready to get back to some normal habits, like this here blog. Lucky you, right?!

Just to dip my toe back into the Neon Rattail universe, here's a simple Outfit of the Day post taken a couple months back and lost in the twists and turns of my hard drive before being unearthed during a recent marathon organizational session.

I snatched up this vest from the Dots clearance rack last summer, where it was hanging all alone with its measly $5 price tag. Yes, $5. I'd almost purchased it previously at full price because, while I can do a lot of things successfully, resisting bright blues and moto-style clothing are usually not among them. I originally passed on it because I thought it was slightly overpriced for what it is (I'm sure it's made of, like, plastic and old paint chips or something), but at five bucks I was ready to play ball. Plus, I had a bunch of studs laying around (ebay is the best for bags of cheap studs!) that I used to quickly upgrade this vest.

Vintage Paisley, Revlon Lipstick, Skeptical Face

Outfit Details

Blue Studded Vest: Dots {with some DIY studs added by me}

T-Shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: Marshall's

Head Scarf: Vintage {thrifted}

Necklace: Forever 21

Ring: Dots

What have you been up to in my absence, babes? Have you ever done any DIY studding? How much do you LOVE clearance racks at already-cheap stores?

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STYLE: Fun Flats

I love few things more than the ease of slipping on a pair of shoes without using my hands. I mean, I know it's a simple thing, and maybe doesn't seem worthy of such acclaim, but almost every day I can put my shoes on my feet in a nanosecond (a slight exaggeration) while simultaneously walking to the door and slinging my purse across my shoulder. I almost never have to bend at the waist or put any thought into my shoe-putting-on. Life's little pleasures! When summer winds down, often the hardest part for me is adjusting to the more elaborate fall footwear and the socks that go with it. It becomes such a process! Sitting, lacing, the whole nine. WHO HAS THE TIME? I'm keeping the foot freedom going with a never-ending parade of flats, and these fun printed, studded and animal-adorned numbers are totally crush worthy. Don't you agree?

1  //  2  //  3  //  4  //  5  //  6  //  7

 Don't you kind of want to become a kindergarten teacher just so you can show up in those pencil flats on your first day and be all "oh, these old things?" while everyone nods gently because they know that you are the best kindergarten teacher to ever wield a pack of washable Crayolas? Me too!

8  //  9  //  10  //  11

Those yellow numbers above are HANDMADE on Etsy, and are suddenly making me feel inadequate for not making my own shoes.

12  //  13  //  14  //  15  //  16  //  17  //  18  //  19  //  20  //  21  //  22  //  23

I just cannot deal with boots yet and I kind of never want to wear a heel again lately. Flats forever! Are you switching up your seasonal footwear? Are you one of those crazy ladies that "feels better" in stilettos? Are you just dying to get some foxes or bunny ears all up on your feet?

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DIY: Vinyl Collar Necklace

I know detachable collars have been around for a while now, but I've neglected to share a way that I make them that is SO easy it's kind of unfair to keep it to myself. I like to sew them or just cut out collars from old shirts, but when I need to whip up a quick necklace (what, you don't?) I use this method. Vinyl is one of those fabrics, along with other wonders like felt and tulle, that is near and dear to me for one reason: NO HEM NEEDED. You cut the fabric and it's not going to fray or beg to be cleanly sewed. This kind of thing gives me way more pleasure that it likely should, but here we are.

Vinyl can be pricey, but I always check the remnants bin at the craft store (which is where I scored this stuff). Pair that with one of those 40% off coupons Joann's can't seem to give me enough of, and we're talking huge mounds of vinyl for chump change (bringing that phrase back, you're welcome). The only downside is that, to me, vinyl sometimes smells overwhelmingly like band-aids. Just me? Sometimes I am convinced that I have a weirdly strong sense of smell. Like, I've smelled dinners on other floors in my apartment building before. Moving on.

WHAT YOU NEED

 Vinyl  //  Paper & Pencil  //  Metal Studs  //  Chain  //  Scissors  //  Jewelry Pliers  //  Chain Cutters  //  Clasp  //  3 Jump Rings  //  Puncturing Tool 

HOW TO MAKE IT

First, draw the shape you want for your collar on the piece of paper. I freehanded this (hard to believe by this picture, I KNOW) but you can also trace a collar/necklace that you already have. Cut out the paper shape.

Trace it once on the back side of the vinyl. Cut that shape out.

To get the other side of the collar you need to re-trace the paper shape on the back of the vinyl, but first flip the paper shape over horizontally. I think this is obvious, but if you were to cut two of the same shape they would not fit together like a collar when you flip them right side up - you'd have two shapes swooping to the left (or right). You need each shape to swoop to the middle (see second picture below this). I only stress this because even though I knew this going in, I traced the wrong way a seriously embarrassing amount of times. Sometimes your brain betrays you!

Opposite shapes swoop TOWARD each other! Ah, this world is full of wonder!

Line your metal studs up in the position you'd like them. This will give you an idea of how many you need and about where to put them. You can definitely make a mark for each one or get really neat with it, but I just went with a freehanded outline. It's not perfect, but neither am I so we'll be a great fit!

I'm using studs from an old belt, but Ebay has really good deals!

Start poking your studs through the vinyl where you want them. If you have trouble use something sharp like your puncturing tool to poke a little hole where the prongs will go.

The prongs will poke through the back of the vinyl and you'll need to flatten them down with either your hand (you little badass!) or a tool.

Use your puncturing tool (or a pin or something) to poke a hole in the pointy tip of each collar piece. Use the jewelry pliers to open a jump ring, loop it through each hole, and close it.

Poke a hole at the other end of the pieces, too, and add an open jump ring. Cut two equal lengths of chain (depending on how long you want the necklace) and attach one to each jump ring and close the ring. Attach a clasp at the other end of the chain and call it a day, 'cause you just made some jewelry, baby!

THE FINISHED NECKLACE

There you have it - a super quick vinyl collar necklace! Do you like collar necklaces or detachable collars? Are you as fond of vinyl as I am? How can I use my super smell for good instead of evil?

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