DIY Coral & Chain Necklace

When I was at the beach over mother's day weekend it was very rainy so my mom and I got to do some shopping.  One of the things I bought was a cute coral tshirt dress from Old Navy.  It's a cute dress but very plain so I knew I would need some fun accessories to fancy it up.  I looked for a matching necklace at Old Navy but couldn't find anything.  My mother asked me why I was even looking since I could just make something myself!

What a smart lady. So that's what I did! Here's this DIY Necklace on my cute new dress:

The best part was I had all these beads and supplies on hand (welcome to life as a bead hoarder) so I didn't have to pay anything extra for my matching necklace. Here's how to make it if you'd like a version for your own plain outfit!

DIY Coral & Chain Necklace

Supplies:

For this necklace you will need: head pins, eye pins, two jump rings, a clasp (I used all of these from the 145pc Starter Pack - Copper - Jewelry Basics Findings from Prima beads), chain (I used 5ft Link Chain - 7mm Links - Copper from Prima Beads as well) and then a selection of coral beads.

Updated to add: I bought all of these beads at a bead show so I don't have anywhere to link for them - sorry! However, these 6x8mm Crystazzi Rondelles from Prima beads are similar to the crystal beads I used! You could probably find similar stone beads for the other beads at Michaels.

Steps:

First step is to cut a short length of chain with wire cutters to start the end of the necklace

Use needle nose pliers to attach an eye pin to the last chain link and string on a large coral bead

Bend the pin 90 degrees

Trim down the tail using wire cutters

Then grab the end of the tail with round nose pliers and bend into a circle

Attach this new circle to the chain and squeeze it shut with pliers

Cut the chain again (I separated my beads with 9 links for this size chain) and repeat the process with another crystal bead.

Repeat this process until you've used up all your chain or reached your desired length for the necklace.  I wanted something long - I can wrap this around my neck two or three times.

Next, grab a head pin and slide on a round bead

Bend the pin 90 degrees right above the bead

Trim the tail with wire cutters

Bend into a loop with round nose pliers

And then attach this between the two beads on the mini lengths of chain.

Repeat until you've made it all through the necklace

Lastly, use two jump rings to attach a clasp to the ends of the chain

All done!

Such a pretty necklace.  I love the coral mixed with the heavy copper chain.  I don't use copper too much so it was an unexpected but pleasant surprise when I found the chain in my stash and saw how nicely it went with the coral beads.

And now I'm all set with my new outfit!

Note to self: suck it in more for blog photos. There ain't no baby in there...besides a food baby....

Hope I've helped inspire you to try making something yourself when you can't find what you want in the stores!

I'll be linking up to these parties:

Monday: CraftOManiac Monday, Making Monday Marvelous, Market Yourself Monday, Motivate Me Monday. Craftastic Monday, Just Something I Whipped Up,, Made By You Mondays,  Making the World Cuter,  

Tuesdays: Tip Me Tuesday, Tutorial Tuesday, Take-a-Look Tuesday, Show Me What Ya Got, Get Your Craft On, Homework

Wednesdays: Your Whims Wednesday, Creative Share Wednesday, We did it Wednesday, Sugar and Spice, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Show & Share,Lil Luna, The 36th Avenue 

Thursdays: Strut Your Stuff, Hookin Up With House of Hepworths, Catch a Glimpse

Friday: Friday Favs on Naptime Crafters, Weekend Wrap-Up Party, Frugal Friday, Show and Share Day, Weekend Bloggy Reading

Saturdays: Whatcha Got Weekend, Saturday Night Special, Show and Tell Saturdays, Scraptastic Saturday,  Positively Splendid

Sundays: Sundae Scoop, Sunday Showcase, Think Pink Sundays