I love saving scraps from past projects. It’s a great way to save remnants from the trash! Granted, it can get a little crazy sometimes. (Fellow crafters, I know you feel me on this one.) But once there’s a chance to use them, it all becomes worth it. So, for this layered DIY fringe necklace, I combined chain scraps with Darice beads to create a one-of-a-kind accessory. The texture of this piece is awesome for sprucing up basic garments. Here’s how to make it!
Layered DIY Fringe Necklace Supplies:
- Darice Semi-Precious Stone Beads (I used the Sodalite Puffed Ovals)
- Darice 7 Strand EZ Bead Wire
- Darice 8mm Glass Pearl Hematite Beads
- Darice Antique Silver Tube Beads
- Darice 3 in 1 Pliers with Cutter
- Darice 7mm Jump Rings (2)
- Darice 10mm Jump Rings (1)
- Darice 18mm Lobster Clasp
- Crimp Beads
- Miscellaneous Jewelry Chain (new and leftover)*
- Darice Scissors
- Darice Plastic Feather Charms
- Darice 4mm Jump Rings
* You can use brand new chain or leftover scraps for your layered DIY fringe necklace. This is a great way to put those remnants to good use! I used a mix of both.
4mm jump rings are useful for making sure the feather charms hang flat.
Step 1. Using the cutter portion of the pliers, cut three strands of jewelry wire. Your best bet is to make them several inches longer than the desired length. You can always trim them later.
Step 2. Add a crimp bead to one strand. Thread the wire through a 7mm jump ring and back through the crimp bead.
Step 3. Using the flat portion of the pliers, squeeze the crimp bead until it’s flat. It should stay in place. Next, add the metal tube beads until you have reached your desired length. Remember, there will be a total of three strands at different lengths.
Step 4. At the other end, add a second crimp bead. Bring the wire through a second 7mm jump ring and back through the crimp bead. Flatten it with the pliers. Insert the wire through a few metal beads before trimming the excess.
Step 5. Attach another strand of wire to one of the jump rings. You’re basically repeating Step 2.
Step 6. Add the round beads. This strand should be slightly shorter or longer than the first one. Once you’ve reached the desired length, secure the end to the other jump ring. And yes, you’ll need another crimp bead for this!
Step 7. Attach the third strand of wire to one of the jump rings. String on the oval stone beads.
Step 8. After the first seven or so beads, start alternating with the chains and charms. Again, you can add the feather charms onto 4mm jump rings if you want them to hang flat.
For my DIY fringe necklace, I alternated the beads with one feather charm in between two scraps of chain. Don’t worry too much about the chain length! Once you’ve finished the strand, you can trim the chain to create a gradient of fringe.
Step 9. Attach this last and final strand to the second jump ring.
Step 10. Add the jewelry clasp to one end and the 10mm jump ring to the other.
Let your layered DIY fringe necklace steal the spotlight by wearing it with a plain shirt, tank top, or dress.
If you’re not into the idea of mixing chains, feel free to stick to one kind. This can be anything from silver to brass! Look through your stash and see what speaks to you.
If you loved the feather charms used in this tutorial, be sure to check out how they’re used in this feather fringe handmade necklace.
Tutorial Photos: Kirsten Nunez
Styled Shots: Haruka Sakaguchi
About Kirsten Nunez
Kirsten is a lifestyle writer and craft book author focusing on DIY, food, health, and creativity. Since 2010, she has been sharing DIY projects at WildAmor.com (formerly Studs & Pearls). In May 2014, Kirsten published her first book, Studs & Pearls: 30 Creative Projects for Customized Fashion; you can find it at Barnes & Noble, Amazon & select independent bookstores. She spends most of her time writing, crafting, traveling, and dreaming up new recipe ideas. Kirsten is a born and raised New Yorker currently living in the Bay Area of California.
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