HIGH on DIY

One can never have enough accessories, so here’s one more you can DIY. It is inspired by the beautiful Panacea Colorblock Bib Necklace. I really loved it’s shape but I switched up the colors in my recreated version. I have been wanting to use oven-bake clay for a while and this DIY was the perfect chance. I have never baked anything before and the first time I baked, it was the clay for this colorblock bib necklace DIY and not some delicious cake or cookie! Anyhow, lets get started.

Here’s what you will need:

• Oven-Bake Clay in Two Colors (I used Sculpey — Premo! Fuchsia and Premo! Accents Peacock Pearl)
• Chain in Gold (Two 20cm pieces)
• 11 Small Jump Rings in Gold & a Clasp
• Necklace Template
• Mod-Podge in Gloss & Brush/Sponge
• E-6000 Glue
• Toothpick
• X-Acto Knife
• Jewelry Plier
• Rolling Pin (optional)

Step 1: Tale 1/4th of the Peacock Pearl clay and condition it between your hands until it’s soft. Then flatten the clay using your hands or a rolling pin.

Step 2: Print out the necklace template on a A4 sheet to get the correct sizes of the shapes. Using the X-Acto knife, trace out shape A from the flattened clay according to the template.

Step 3: Use the toothpick to make two holes on the corner edges of shape A to attach jumprings later.

Step 4: Condition the leftover clay from step 2 and trace out two shape Bs and two shape Cs. Take 1/4th of the Fuchsia clay and repeat steps 1 & 2 to trace out one shape D and two shape Es. Create the jumpring holes in shapes A, B and C.

Step 5: Place all the shapes on a baking tray and bake them according to the instructions on the packet. I baked mine for 30 minutes at 275 degree F.

Step 6: After the baked clay has cooled down for 10 – 15 minutes, add E-6000 at the back of shapes D and Es.

Step 7: Glue shape D on top of A and the two Es on top of the two Bs. Make sure not to glue over the jumpring holes on A & Bs. Then, let it sit for 10 – 15 minutes.

Step 8: Once the shapes are glued together, use the brush or sponge to apply a layer of Mod-Podge over all the shapes including the two Cs. Let it dry for 5 – 10 minutes.

Step 9: Looking at the necklace arrangement on the template, link the shapes accordingly with jumprings. Add one piece of 20cm chain on each outer end of the C shapes.

Step 10: To create the closure for the necklace, add a jumpring to one 20cm piece of chain and add a clasp to the other 20cm piece.

Then you are ready to add a pop of color to any of your winter outfits with this DIY colorblock necklace!

I really love trying out a new medium and I am happy with how my first work with clay turned out. I have more than 3/4ths of each color left to try make other jewelry pieces. I really hope you give this a try as it’s so much fun and you can make multiple necklaces with different colors and shapes. I would love to see what you made and hear any tips/tricks of working with clay. Follow along on Facebook & Pinterest to stay up to date with my  inspirations. Until next time, get your creative fix & stay HIGH on DIY!

I love Eddie Borgo jewelry but I prefer not to spend hundreds of dollars on a necklace or a bracelet. So of course that leads me to take the inspiration and recreate that piece of jewelry. This DIY is a twist on Eddie Borgo’s Gold-Plated Triangle Necklace. It’s simple and quick, and I used supplies such as the gold metal foil leftover from a previous DIY. Also, I am currently travelling in Turkey so even though I finished the DIY back in Chicago, I edited it during my flight and now publishing it from Istanbul!

Anyway, let’s get started! Here’s what you will need:

• Gold Metal Sheet/Roll [15 x 15 cm]
• Gold Chain [23 cm piece (2), 19 cm piece (1), 15 cm (1) & 12 cm piece (1)]
• Template divided into sections A, B, C & D.
• 4 Small Jump-Rings & a Clasp
• X-acto Knife/Scissors
• Jewelry Plier

Step 1: Get a printout of the template I created and cutout 6 of those shapes from the 15 x 15 cm gold sheet using the x-acto knife or scissors. Start in top left corner of the sheet so you can cutout 3 in one row and 3 in a second row.

Step 2: With one of the cutout shapes facing wrong side up, place one end of the 23 cm chain on the middle dotted line on the cutout between sections A & B.

Step 2: Fold section A on top of B along the middle dotted line so the chain is wrapped by the two triangles.

Step 4: Using the side dotted lines as guidelines, fold section C and D over on top so the sides of the triangles wrapping the chain are sealed. This is the back side of each triangle. These folded flaps, C & D, will not be visible on the front side of the triangle.

Step 5: Add two more triangles on the same 23 cm chain. Repeat steps 1-5 on the second 23 cm chain. If you started placing triangles on the left end of the first 23 cm chain, on the second chain — start on the right end. You should end up with 3 triangles on each 23 cm chain.

Step 6: Using the pliers, add the 4 jump-rings at each end of the two 23 cm chains.

Step 7: As you see in the image for step 5, each 23 cm chain has an end that’s closer to the triangles. Use the pliers to add the remaining 3 chains to the jump-rings on these two ends. Start with the longest 19cm piece and then move to the 15 cm and the 12cm pieces.

Step 8: To finish off, add the clasp to one of two remaining jump-rings at the other end of 23 cm chains. Then you have your geometric necklace!

I really hope you enjoyed this take on the Eddie Borgo necklace! Give it a try and use it to accessorize any outfit during the holidays. Stay up to date on my next DIY plans through Facebook or checkout more of my inspirations on Pinterest. Until next time, get your creative fix & stay HIGH on DIY!