Jolie Jouel: holiday necklace

Friday, December 14, 2012

DIY Friday: Make A Christmas Gift!

Sometimes the most special gifts are the ones that people make. You know how you feel when your niece gives you a handmade card? Why not pass that feeling along to a loved one by making them this DIY necklace!

You will need:

- Silver chain

- 4 beads

- 4 links of thick curb chain

- 2 jump rings

- 2 wire guards

- 2 crimps

- 2 crimp covers

- 1 clasp

- Beading wire

- Snips and flat nose pliers

Step 1:

Create a loop in one end of a small piece of wire with your wire guard and crimp. Next, string two of your beads onto the same piece of wire.

Step 2:

Loop the other end of your wire through the silver chain. Use a wire guard and crimp to secure.

Finish with a crimp cover and snip excess wire.

Step 3:

Repeat steps 1 & 2 with the other two beads.

Step 4:

Use a jump ring to attach one end of the thick curb chain to one of the beaded units. Use another jump ring to attach the second bead unit to the other end of the thick curb chain.

Step 5:

Attach your clasp to one end of the necklace and a jump ring on the other.

Finale:

Will you be making any of your Christmas presents this year?

Happy weekend!

Monday, November 5, 2012

One Piece, Three Ways: Holiday Necklace

The mercury is dropping and it's beginning to at least look like the holidays are just around the corner. Everywhere I look - department stores, coffee shops, book stores - Christmas trees are popping up and red, silver, and gold are sparkling away. For me, the "red cup" at Starbucks signals the official launch of the holidays season, and well, I got one over the weekend.

All of this holiday cheer got me thinking about festive jewelry and accessories. The necklaces tend to be bigger; the earrings, fancier; and the bracelets, sparklier.

Let's start with the necklaces. Look for a versatile piece that you can wear with a party dress or jeans. Stick with silver or gold or mixed metals. You don't really need to add in color here. Look for a piece that you wouldn't likely wear in the summer. Think crystals, pearls, and other heavy gems. This Kenneth Cole Urban Glitz Link Necklace from Piperlime is a good example.