With some leather scraps and pretty much the most average item ever — paperclips — I made this bold, colorful necklace, inspired by a necklace I saw on Anthropologie’s website by artist Lauren Manoogian. With just a few supplies (most of which you’ll have on hand), you can easily create a great, inexpensive statement piece that can add that extra touch to any outfit. If you don’t have some of the supplies, check your jewelry drawer for items you don’t wear anymore that you can repurpose for this project. I used leather scraps for this project, but you can use other fabric that you have on hand.
Designer-Inspired Paperclip Necklace Tutorial
by Kirsten at Studs-and-pearls.com
Supplies Needed:
- Jumbo paperclips, $1
- Fabric scraps (I used leather), on hand
- Jump rings, on hand or $1
- Pendant/charm (optional), on hand or $1
- Chain (optional), on hand or $1
- Hot glue gun, on hand
- Scissors and jewelry pliers, on hand
Total: $1 and up
1) Cut small rectangles from your fabric, and wrap around each paperclip. Secure with hot glue.
2) Make a bunch! Connect with jump rings.
3) If you want, use some chain to further extend the necklace, or simply wrap and connect more paper clips.
4) Add a pendant, if you’d like.
5) Done!
14 Comments
Care
It’s gorgeous! And who would ever guess it started with the most humble of office supplies??
Carrie B
Fun. Believe it or not, my sisters made these types of necklaces in elementary school… In 1972/73. :) Except they used very mod 70’s contact shelving paper to wrap the clips. The “gems” on the end were shrinky-dinks with holes in them. My mom still has them. ;) This is a more posh version of those and it cracks me up!
Fatcat
I like this. I’m going to get my daughter to make me one. She’s the crafty person at our house. :-)
Kirsten at S&P
Carrie, that’s really funny haha, what’s even more ironic is that I wasn’t even born in 1972/73 (More like 88. I’m a baby!)…Mod 70’s contact paper sounds pretty awesome though.
Here’s the Anthropologie/inspriation piece, by the way….the necklace I made is different, but was inspired by this necklace nonetheless.
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19593169&catId=JEWELRY-NECKLACES&pushId=JEWELRY-NECKLACES&popId=JEWELRYACCESSORIES&navAction=top&navCount=168&color=014&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=JEWELRY-NECKLACES-STATEMENTS
heather
The 70s version sounds fun! :) The inspiration necklace was made with colored tape. Kirsten’s version here is my favorite so far – the leather is so nice & luxe! Thanks for the awesome project, Kirsten!
Michelle L.
This is so great! I am kinda crazy for it, now I must try this. Love the cool dark tones of the leather you chose.
sarita
Very cool! I don’t have any leather scraps but I do have colored duct tape! Btw Kirsten your necklace is much prettier than the inspiration one.
Jenny B
I couldn’t believe that those were paperclips at first! How cool :) It’s been a looooooong time since I wore a paperclip necklace ;)
Abbygirl
Yes, I too remember my older sisters making these necklaces by the dozens in the 1970’s. They used electrical tape, contact paper, wrapping paper and just about any supplies they could get their hands on. Everything old is new again. eh?
Sarah
How awesome is that! I like your version better than the original by far.
Angela D
I love your version way better. I’m out of paperclips, but I know when I get some I’m going to be buying extra!! I have an old sweater with suede patches that I’ve been saving for a craft!!