DIY: Teardrop Bead Statement Necklace

You know when you see something on TV or online or in a magazine and you determine in your most super villainess-style voice that "It WILL be mine"? Well, I tend to do this kind of a lot because I can't stop being inspired by shapes and colors and pretty things for even one second. I'm starting to think I have a problem, but it's hard to worry too much when your "problem" results in ridiculous symptoms like having too many fun necklaces and floral headscarves. 

I tend to obsess over the things I like for an unreasonable amount of time, and if something else has not pushed an obsessed over item out of my mind for a length of time, I decide to act upon the obsession by either buying or DIYing the object of obsession. If something else makes me obsess harder and the original item is forgotten, it was never meant to be. There's some kind of ye olde proverb in there, right?

Also, it is EXHAUSTING in this head of mine; there are just SO MANY ideas. Sometimes, though, the result is a fun new accessory. I saw a necklace similar to this one about two years ago (I said I was OBSESSIVE) on Project Runway - they were obviously using the Piperlime Accessory Wall™ wisely, as per Tim Gunn's instructions. That one was multi-colored and fabulous, but after some careful internet sleuthing I learned that it was also $100. Not exactly my style. I'm all about getting the cutest for the cheapest and that often means going the DIY route. For a detail freak like myself, this is ideal because I can make things to my exact taste. Want one too? I thought you might!

What You Need

12 Teardrop Beads with Holes (I got mine here)  //  28 Silver Spacer Beads  //  2 Clamshell Knot Cover Beads  //  Two 9" Pieces of Metal Chain  //  Stretch Magic Jewelry Cord  //  16 Jump Rings  //  Clasp  //  Jewelry Pliers  //  Wire Cutters  //  Acrylic Paint (optional - not pictured)  //  Mod Podge (optional - not pictured)

How To Make It

To start, I painted my teardrop beads mint green with acrylic paint and coated them in Mod Podge to seal the paint. This step is optional. I couldn't find any teardrop beads in a color I liked so I took the initiative to paint these clear ones because I'm a go-getter (and because I couldn't get the image of a mint green necklace out of my mind).

When all that business is dry and ready, use the jewelry pliers to twist open the jump rings and thread them through the holes in the teardrop beads. Twist the jump rings closed.

Cut 2 lengths of Stretch Magic, one about 8" and one about 9" in length. Thread 2 spacer beads on the 8" stretch cord, followed by 1 teardrop bead. Repeat 4X and then add 2 more spacer beads to finish. When done, you'll have 5 teardrop beads and 12 spacer beads. For the 9" cord, repeat this whole process, but this one is longer so you'll have a total of 7 teardrop beads and 16 spacer beads.

Cool, let's get into it! Take one end of each stretch cord and slide them both through one clamshell bead. Knot the 2 ends together securely. I like to do a million little knots right on top of each other to make a large knot. Trim the cord excess close to the knot. Use the pliers to close the clamshell part of the bead over the knot to hide it.

To finish, attach a jump ring to each end of the metal chains. Bend each "arm" of the clamshell beads around a jump ring. Attach each half of the clasp to the jump rings on the other end of the chains. You did it! Wow, what can't you do? 

I bought a ton of these beads - I actually bought them TWICE because I was sure my boyfriend had accidentally thrown them away during a major apartment cleaning. It seemed to be the only explanation. We couldn't find the beads and he was so very apologetic and tried to look through our building's dumpster (which I did not let him do - I'm not a jerk). So I bought a TON more and then I found the original beads exactly where I had left them. Oops. I'm still working on the assumption that the mischievous spirit of a bead enthusiast was playing a cute joke on us because I know that I didn't have a hand in this. Nope. Not possible.

As a result, I have what you might call a "ridiculous" number of beads (for the record I call it "comforting") so I'll be able to make a few more of these neck decorations. I guess I'm calling necklaces "neck decorations" now? It just seems more appropriate when the jewelry you're wearing is more like a Christmas tree ornament than a simple gold pendant or whatever normal people are wearing these days. I might also make a HUGE one with even more teardrop beads because I like to jingle at all times.

xoxo,
Michelle