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Make a Leather Necklace with Pendant

Azareal by Azareal

Make a Leather Necklace in Just a Few Minutes

Do you want to make a simple necklace for yourself or a special guy or gal in your life, but aren't sure how to go about it? This simple leather necklace is a good choice for anyone, male or female. All you need is a pendant, a leather cord, connectors, and a clasp. It's a great beginner project for a polished-looking necklace.

Simple Leather Necklace Materials

What You Need for This Project

Pendant - The example is an 18x30 mm sodalite teardrop, which came with a loop attached at the top.

Cord - The example uses a black leather strap, but you can use other thick cords, such as vinyl, hemp, or waxed linen.

Coil Connectors - These are metal coils with a loop at one end, where a clasp can be attached. You want a connector with a coil such that the cord will fit inside it snugly. If you like, you can make your own connector by wrapping 20-gauge wire around the cord, leaving a loop at one end to attach the clasp.

Clasp - I used a large lobsterclaw clasp because it has a sleek appearance, is secure, and is easy to use. If you like, you could make a clasp.

Smooth Jaw Pliers - I used flatnose pliers. No teeth or you will scratch the coil!

Glue - Optional, but nice to have.

This piece brings together several basic techniques to create a beautiful piece of jewelry. You should be able to complete this project in about 15 minutes.

Find Materials for this Project Online

Any beading or craft store should be able to set you up with the materials to complete this project, but you can find jewelrymaking materials online, too.

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Heart Pendant 18mm 2/Pkg-Turq/Antq Slvr Filigree

Heart Pendant 18mm 2/Pkg-Turq/Antq Slvr Filigree

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Sterling Silver Rare Color Swarovski Crystal Pendant

Sterling Silver Rare Color Swarovski Crystal Pendant

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Certified Genuine Honey Amber and Sterling Silver Small Flaming Sun Pendant

Certified Genuine Honey Amber and Sterling Silver Small Flaming Sun Pendant

60 million years old honey amber is the fossilized more...0 points

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Sterling Silver Swarovski Crystal Vitrail Pendant

Sterling Silver Swarovski Crystal Vitrail Pendant

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Velvet Black Faux Leather Suede Beading Cord 10Ft

Velvet Black Faux Leather Suede Beading Cord 10Ft

I love this luscious, soft, faux suede cord with t more...0 points

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DARK ESPRESSO BROWN FAUX LEATHER SUEDE NECKLACE CORD 10 FT

DARK ESPRESSO BROWN FAUX LEATHER SUEDE NECKLACE CORD 10 FT

This particular brown color looks fantastic with t more...0 points

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2mm Crimp Beads - 100PK/Silver

2mm Crimp Beads - 100PK/Silver

Metal beads spacers and findings enhance the beaut more...0 points

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Sterling Silver 7 mm Magnetic Clasp for medium light chains

Sterling Silver 7 mm Magnetic Clasp for medium light chains

Magnetic Clasps are made for people who are either more...0 points

Simple Necklace with Pendant - Step 1

Take a look at your materials. You want the ends of the cord to barely slide into the coil connector. Can you see how the clasp attaches to the loop on the coil? Put the cord around the neck of the person who will be wearing it and cut it to the desired length.

Simple Necklace with Pendant - Step 2

Cut your cord to the desired length and slide the pendant onto it. Slide or work the end of the cord into a coil connector until the end is flush with the top of the coil near the loop.

Learn to Make Necklaces

DIY: How to make a Swarovski Crystal Necklace for Cheap
by RubyChopsticks | video info

202 ratings | 63,308 views
automatically generated by YouTube

Simple Necklace with Pendant - Step 3

For added security, you may want to add a drop of waterproof glue to the inside of the coil before adding the cord. Don't worry if you don't have the glue. It really shouldn't be necessary.

Simple Necklace with Pendant - Step 4

Smash the coil with your pliers to secure the cord. In the example, this was actually pretty hard. The coils were made of steel and didn't want to be crushed. I even double-checked the instructions to be sure I had the right kind of connector. The cord-into-coil connection was pretty snug in this case, and I think the necklace would have been sufficiently secure if I had used just glue and not crushed the coil. Use your best judgement. Expect to use some force to crimp the coil.

Simple Necklace with Pendant - Step 5

You will either need to use pliers to open the loop on the coil to insert the end of the clasp, or else use jump rings to connect the loop of the coil with the loop on the clasp.

Learn How to Make Jewelry

These are books that show you how to make other simple jewelry projects. Feel free to add to the list or to vote selections up/down.

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Bead Simple: Essential Techniques for Making Jewelry Just the Way You Want It by Susan Beal

Bead Simple: Essential Techniques for Making Jewelry Just the Way You Want It by Susan Beal

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Making Bead & Wire Jewelry: Simple Techniques, Stunning Designs by Dawn Cusick

Making Bead & Wire Jewelry: Simple Techniques, Stunning Designs by Dawn Cusick

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Beading with Gemstones: Beautiful Jewelry, Simple Techniques by Valerie MacCarthy

Beading with Gemstones: Beautiful Jewelry, Simple Techniques by Valerie MacCarthy

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Easy Beaded Jewelry: 75+ Stunning Designs by Susan Ray

Easy Beaded Jewelry: 75+ Stunning Designs by Susan Ray

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Modern Jewelry from Modular Parts: Easy Projects Using Readymade Components (Lark Jewelry Book) by Marthe Le Van

Modern Jewelry from Modular Parts: Easy Projects Using Readymade Components (Lark Jewelry Book) by Marthe Le Van

Everyone can make stylish contemporary jewelry wit more...0 points

Did You Try this Necklace Project?

Do you have any questions about this leather necklace project or comments about this lens? Here's the place to put them!

  • Sylvestermouse Feb 11, 2011 @ 10:54 am | delete
    Great step by step instructions! Angel Blessed and featured on Squid Angel Mouse Tracks in Crafts.
  • M_Farid Nov 25, 2010 @ 10:45 pm | delete
    Hi, thanks for the great lens, i really liked it and thinking of trying to make one for my gal, i used to get her presents from www.dreamlandjewelry.com , but i think that a hand made gift will be a more romantic idea.
    Thanks again, i will try it out and tell you how it went.
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About Azareal

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This So Crafty page written by

Azareal

Hi. I'm Dr. Anne Helmenstine, scientist, author, and mom. I write and edit About.com's Chemistry Website, which covers general chemistry, science proj... more »

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