HowTo: Fix, Improve, and Create Jewelry Yourself

Every girl has a love/hate relationship with jewelry. Lets face it, it's never truly going to vanish (that is, unless companies find a way to sell cheap jewelry made of titanium). But I have a simple way to fix necklaces or bracelets, a simple way to modify old necklaces, and a simply way to make your own jewelry. Being an extreme saver, I will find any way to get out of spending money, whether its spending countless hours on a failed attempt at salvaging pieces or buying the cheapest pieces possible (yes, a terrible habit, I know). But instead of spending those hours, try minutes. And that "bad" cheapy habit needn't be considered bad anymore. These DIY's will guarantee quick, cheap, and easy success! Here is what you need:

Sewing or sharp scissors, separable metal hoops, an unwanted necklace, needlenose pliers, and wire clippers(optional)

#1. The Quick Fix

Most girls think that once a necklace or bracelet breaks, it has reached the end of its (generally predictably short) life span. If I believed this, my jewelry collection would be merely a pile of rings and earrings, otherwise known as the unbreakables. Luckily I don't, and I have a way to make you stop believing that too.

$18, Aldo

I lent this necklace to a good friend for a dance, and it came back in two. I didn't mind, since I knew that this fix would take approximately thirty seconds of my time.

 Step 1

 First, separate the ends of the hoop with the needlenose pliers, and loop it into the place where the broken hoop was.

Step 2

 Then, place the other part of the necklace/bracelet into the hoop, and close the hoop by squeezing it together on both sides with the pliers.

 And now, you are finished with a necklace/bracelet in one, seamless piece.

#2 The Upgrade

Lets be honest, girls. We all have that jewelry piece from several years ago that we cannot believe we bought. Perhaps it was the influence of a current trend, or simply a push to try something new. But no matter the reason, you now ultimately regret it. Instead of throwing out that so-called piece of "outdated/unstylish trash", you can modify it at an extremely minimal cost of several metal hoops and nearly effortless elbow grease.

Accessorize, U.K.

This is my "ultimate regret" jewelry piece. I love the shorter section if the necklace, but the gold-dusted feather drama which I considered 'trendy' a year ago is now looking depressing and tacky. Here is how I got rid of it.

Step 1. 

Firstly, you want to find where you want to separate your necklace. Mine was just one large loop with the part I wanted on one end and the part I did not on the other. So, you find the part of the necklace where you want to split it, ensuring the essential clasp is on the side of the necklace you are keeping.

Step 2.

Once you have found the place you would like to divide the necklace, take your needlenose pliers and separate the hoop to take it off, or you can simply cut it off with wire cutters if they are available to you. Repeat with the other side of the necklace. Your wanted & unwanted pieces should now be separate.

Step 3. 

Finally, open a chain hoop with your needlenose pliers and loop it into the end of one side of the wanted necklace, then take the other side and loop it into the opened hoop. Close the hoop and you now have an upgraded necklace!

#3. The Creation

If you have an fancy old shirt with some beaded detailing at the collar, skip the trash bag and head for your jewelry box. With my simple method of creating a necklace out of a dressy but unwanted piece of clothing, you have a gorgeous necklace without the hefty price tag.

Step 1.

 The first step is fairly straightforward. Cut away the part of the top where your beaded neckline is. My  "necklace" was easy to detach, but not all will take several seconds. Persist!

Step 2.

The top I was using had its halter strap (holding it up) attached to the beaded "necklace" part, so I had to remove the straps. Untie the knots holding the adjustable halter together, then proceed to undo the remaining knots. (I had remove decorative wooden beads from mine as well)

Step 3. 

Next, I take your unwanted necklace and find the part of the chain where the decorative part of the necklace ends and the basic chain begins (If you have a basic jewelry chain already, you will only need to cut/open one hoop and proceed to step four). Open the hoops that divide the two parts of the necklace, separating it into two.

Step 4.

 Now open a chain hoop with your pliers and loop it into wherever the end of your necklace is. Repeat on the other end. 

Step 5.

Then, add the end of the unwanted  necklace to the chain hoop and squeeze the hoop closed with the pliers to ensure the necklace does not fall apart. Repeat with the other end of the necklace.

Voila, you are finished! You now have a beautiful necklace that cost next to nothing to make. You may notice that I added two of the beads I took off in an attempt to conceal the wires, but I removed them afterwards because I did not like the effect they had on the necklace. Hope you enjoyed these DIY's, and that they not only extend the life of your jewelry, but add to your collection also!

xoxo, G