Necklaces!!!

Boutique style gumball necklaces are really popular.  Lots of little girls are wearing them.  My daughters were given a few as gifts.  One necklace had a Batman theme while another had a Princess Leia pendant.  They really wanted more necklaces with all their favorite super heroes and cartoon characters on them.  These trendy necklaces cost anywhere from $10 to $30.  (Remember, they are worth every penny because they uniquely designed and handmade.)  In order to save a little money, I looked into buying the supplies and making them myself.  Many Facebook craft pages have people that sell the gumball  beads for great prices. You can also go to craft stores or Amazon.

If you make the necklaces yourself, you not only save money but you can also make one of a kind items.  My oldest daughter loves Doctor Who!  There is not a lot of Doctor Who merchandise out there for eleven year old girls.  Now that I know how to make these necklaces, I can design something especially for her unique style.

You'd be surprised how easy it is to make these cute necklaces,

First, gather your supplies.

• gumball beads (18-20)
• a decorative pendant
• spacer beads
• jewelry wire
• toggle and bar (for the ends)
  
• crimping bead
• crimping pliers

The crimping bead is that tiny little circle next to the pliers.

Now that you have your supplies, it is really simple.

Figure out how what order you wants your beads to be strung on the wire. This can be just a simple pattern.  I put mine on a cookie sheet.  I placed something under one side so the beads would stay put (it made the cookie sheet tilt at an angle.)

Once your pattern is set, it is time to start placing the beads on the wire.  Cut a piece of wire a little longer than your beads placed side by side on the cookie sheet.  String the wire through the connector on the toggle (the loop).  Then, put the wire through the crimping bead.  Create a loop and string the wire back through the crimping bead. Use pliers to crush the the crimping bead in its place. You should now have the toggle firmly in place on the loop at the end of the string.   

Now you are ready to add the beads.  Add a spacer bead, gumball bead, etc until all the beads are on. 

When you finish, you will add another crimping bead and then the bar for the toggle.  Loop the wire again--just like you did in the beginning.  Trim the extra wire or tuck whatever hangs out back through the beads so it doesn't show.  

Really, that's it. It works out to be about $5 - $6 per necklace (depending on the type of beads and pendant you choose).  It is a lot simpler and cheaper than I thought.  I am sure as I make more, I will come up with more tips to make them better and faster.  I can't wait to make more.  Oh, the possibilities!