Necklace Refashion Tutorial {Lengthen and Knot}

Working on jewelry this weekend felt good. I need to do it more. It makes me happy. 

I have all these ideas and then I look at my blog (and my jewelry stash) and realize I haven't done hardly any of them. Get on it, Allie. 2012, get ready for more Miss Lovie jewelry.

So here's the story. I had this necklace (above) I bought it from Express at least 4 years ago (maybe more). There's nothing wrong with it. I like it mostly, but I never wore it. I'd try it on with an outfit and I'd say "meh" and pick a different one that I wore all the time instead. So I decided I needed to just revamp it. 

Lengthen it.

SO much better. I love the large antique bronze chain. The large beads at the ends where it connects to the chain were already there and they make the necklace flow nicely, I think. 

Then I thought, what would happen if I....

tie it in a knot! 

Ooh! I like that, too. Sweet! And in, seriously 15 minutes or less, I have not only one new necklace that I'm bound to wear way more, but two!!

Ready to make your own? Don't worry. You don't have to be a jewelry-making professional for this. It really is very easy. 

Let's get started!!

Materials:
1. bent nose pliers and flat nose pliers

2. jump rings big enough to fit around your chain

3. lobster clasp

4. smaller chain (only about 5 or 6 inches worth)

5. large chain (13 inches, cut in half, or however long you need it depending on the necklace you're refashioning)

6. necklace that needs a revamp (mine was 16 inches long)

NOTE: I got almost all materials from Michael's. They usually have the best prices/sales on jewelry and they have a great selection usually. Tools really are relatively inexpensive. I say this all the time, but if you've never made jewelry before, don't let "Well, I don't have the tools so I can't do this" stop you. Jewelry making is fun and easy. Buy the tools you won't be disappointed. :)

1. Take apart your old Necklace

See? It's not bad really, it was just neglected.

Open the jump ring by holding one side of the ring with one set of pliers and holding the other side of it with your other set of pliers and simply pull apart. Your bent nose pliers are thinner and easier to work with so I usually position my flat nose pliers in my left hand to hold the jump ring stationary and then I use my bent nose pliers in my right and let them do most of the work. 

Here's my deconstructed necklace. I think I'll have to find something fun to do with that sweet little bow charm. See how the ends of the necklace already have loops? We're going to utilize those!

2. Attach closure to the chain. 

My large chain was already cut in half and the perfect size (miraculously enough that was left over from a previous project!!) so I don't have a picture of measuring the chain and halving it. You need two 6.5 inch lengths of chain (if your old necklace is the same length as mine). This chain is huge and pretty strong so instead of cutting, pull apart a link (and then re-close it) to separate it into 2 pieces.

Now let's attach the lobster clasp to one end of the large chain. Open a jump ring (as shown above) and slide on the lobster clasp and the chain and then use your pliers to push the jump ring back together as it was before you opened it. Make sure it is fully closed. You don't want your necklace falling apart. That has, of course, never happened to me.... riiiiight. 

Then take your other piece of chain and attach the small chain to it using the same method. The small chain can be used if you want to adjust your necklace. You can hook the lobster clasp to the jump ring to close it or to one of the links in the small chain. 

3. Attach large chain to old necklace.

Now attach both pieces of large chain to the necklace with jump rings as seen above. 

It should look like this now. 

And you're finished! Easy right?!

Or you could (unhook the clasp) and tie it in a knot! I love 2 for 1 deals!

Cuteness. 

And versatility!! 

This is one happy girl. Who wouldn't be when you get three day weekends which give you plenty of time to create, clean and organize, relax a little, and get ready for the next school week. I vote that we make three day weekends a regular thing. Who's with me?

Linking to the parties on my sidebar and 

Get Your Craft On

P.S. Keep a look out...I just may have found another way or two to revamp this necklace...get excited.