November Whiplash: Alt Craft

I did not think I was going to enter this month's Whiplash. That's because the category was ALT CRAFT. Honestly, that scared me a bit! I love reading books and looking at OTHER peoples alt crafts, but I've never really been one to try/do it. I think because in my mind I didn't have the confidence I could make beautiful jewelry that can be worn everyday out of unusual/found objects. So I was just going to let this one pass me by...

However--tonight I had to stop by the Home Depot to get an extension cord for Cosmo's heated puppy bed (that's another story...). After I found it I was going to check out, but the hardware aisle caught my eye. There was a solid wall of silver washers and findings; not unlike what you'd see at a jewelry store! Suddenly I had my project, and picked out 3 packages to get it done! So now I present to you my November Tutorial Whiplash Entry: the Garnet and Washer Necklace Tutorial

Garnet + Washer Necklace Tutorial

combine everyday washers into wearable jewelry! please use this tutorial as a starting point-check out your local hardware store for never ending possibilities!

Skill level: novice             Finished length: approximately 18"
Skills used: opening split rings, wire wrapping

As before, the pictures will come first, and then the explanations.

The finished necklace

Step 1: Gather your supplies. You will need:

-9 Lock washers with internal teeth, size 1/4". These are the the circles with the "floral" cutout.
-18 Lock washers, medium split, size #10. These are the medium sized rings on the right.
-18 Lock washers, medium split, size #8. These are the smallest rings on the top.
-21 Garnet nuggets
-10 Garnet ovals
-1 clasp, I used a sterling silver toggle.
-sterling silver wire, I used 24 gauge
-2 pairs of flat nosed pliers
-nail clippers (or any wire cutters, not pictured)
-2 jump rings to hook the clasp on (not pictured)

Step 2: Open up a size 10 lock washer.

This is the medium size. Notice that the outside has small ridges; I like it for some extra texture. Be careful when using your two pliers to open the ring, they're TOUGH!

Step 3: slide on 1 lock washer with internal teeth, and close ring to secure it.

Step 4: Open up another size 10 lock washer, and slide it onto the same washer with internal teeth. Close this washer to secure.

Step 5: Add 1 size 8 washer (the small ones) to each end. This is what you'll have. From here on out I'll refer to this finished piece of chain as "one link".

Step 6: Complete one more "link" in the same fashion as above.

Step 7: Using your wire wrapping learned here, attach a length of wire to the end of your link. Trim to about 1 1/2".

Step 8: Slide on one oval garnet, one nugget, and one oval. Wrap the end of your wire into a loop.

Step 9: Wrap the wire onto your other link section.

Step 10: Keep adding links and beaded sections until you have 8 beaded sections. I alternated between the ovals and nuggets.

Step 11: Add a dangle to the center "flower" of your necklace.

Step 12: Add your clasp to the ends of the necklace using the "real" jewelers jump rings.

Voila! In less than 30 minutes you have taken something "found" and made something wonderful! You can easily make earrings to match by making 2 additional link sections and adding them to earrings. How easy was that??

Once again, thank you Whipup for pushing me as a designer. Without this challenge I would not have tried or even thought of looking outside of my normal boundaries! I definitely think it was worth it!

please check out whiplash! try something new today. (i'll get the link to work with the picture someday...

 

Comments

[Jennifer]

I love this-you really made this out of stuff from a hardware store! I would def. wear this!! Make more!!

[judith]

cool!!!!
I have to go to the diy-store and buy this material!

[k8tykat]

fabulous!

[Enthusiastically Human]

this is great--i made something using similar materials but stopped at something bracelet-sized. i'll have to try this combo--i like the look of the larger washers--

[Hanna]

how can something so boring and ordinary become so cute? great work!

[myra]

Cool! Thanks for the tutorial!

[craftydabbler]

It looks even better on you! I really like it. Good eye at Home Depot.