When it comes to things I need to destash, costume jewelry is pretty high on the list. I’ve been given a large quantity of it over the years, and I also keep an eye out for it at yard sales and estate sales. I went surfing around the Anthropologie website looking for inspiration because their styles lend themselves well to reusing old jewelry bits. One of the first things that caught my eye was their Oscillating Orbs necklace. Here’s the original:
At $38.00 it’s actually not too terribly steep compared to most Anthro items, but I’d still rather make my own. Even if I wasn’t stashbusting and I went out and bought special beads and chain to use for the project, I could make it for well less than half of that! Here is the knockoff I came up with:
Not bad, huh?
Project estimate:
- Beads, on hand or $1 and up
- Chain, on hand or $1 and up
- Fishing line or beading wire/thread, on hand or $1 and up
- Crimp beads, on hand
- Jump rings or split rings, on hand
- Jewelry pliers, on hand
- Necklace clasp, on hand
Total: Free and up
I dug through my costume jewelry and found this great chain with square links that would give a similar effect to the chain in the Anthro necklace. The beads I used were salvaged from an old necklace that just wasn’t my style.
Start by cutting a length of fishing line or beading wire (I used fishing line because I had it on hand) and use crimp beads to attach a jump ring at one end.
String the chain onto the fishing line through the first chain link, then add a bead.
Wrap the chain around the bead and string the fishing line through the next possible chain link.
Add another bead, then wrap the chain around it, forming an S-shape with the chain. Keep adding beads and weaving the chain back and forth around them until you reach the end of the chain.
If needed, remove any extra chain links, then finish the end with another jump ring and more crimp beads.
Attach additional lengths of chain at the ends using the jump rings if needed, then add a closure. I really want to try this with different chains and beads and see how many different looks I can get out of this same simple technique!
15 Comments
Emma
Love it :)
Great job
sarita
Very cool! Love the color! I have to try this!
Michelle
What a great idea. I take my daughter to those expensive bead store and have her make necklaces for her grandparents. This is something she can do at home and I won’t have to spend so much money.
Daniela@isreview
LOVE THIS- I have made the “ribbon version” but I love this chain version too- I gotta give it a try!
Amanda
Hi Rhonda, what a great knock off! I’ve featured this post on Copy Cat Crafts today, you can view it here
http://www.copycatcrafts.com/bead-and-chain-necklace-inspired-by-anthropologie/
We’d love it if you’d like to display a featured button! You can grab your button on the right hand side of your post. Thanks!
Diane
Oh no! I made one almost just like this the other day but ran out of beads for a diffrent project and ripped it apart!!!
I actually bought a couple old costume jewlery at a thrift store and taken them apart for the pieces.
diane turner
just came across your site while surfing! what a great find!! just a beginner here so trying to keeps costs down ’til i get it right! working mom here so now that gardening time is almost over – looking for a fall/winter hobby! hope to see more on your site! many thanks for some inspiration .
diane turner
hey Diane – never even thought of that!! love the vintage ect!! thanks for the hint!!
Kate
I just did this project by re-purposing an old beaded bracelet and an extra long chain necklace i never wear. So much fun, and I love how it turned out! Thanks for the inspiration! :)
Casey
Great tutorial! I am an Anthropologie addict, but I think your version is even more adorable than theirs! I’ll have to try it sometime! Thanks for posting.
annie
very good idea. I’ll try it.