No one will ever know that this cost under $10 to make. I made this necklace a few months ago and have worn it out a ton. Every time I get a compliment and I tell the person it’s a DIY, they always ask, “Really – how?!” in disbelief. (That’s the best feeling in the world, btw.) So get thee to the washi tape store and make yourself one (or a few) of these completely custom, completely affordable bib necklaces.
Supplies
x-acto knife
ruler
flexible plexiglass (mine is .06 inches thick)
washi tape
scissors
really strong hole puncher – I used the Crop-a-Dile.
Mod Podge
paint brush
jewelry making pliers
7mm jump rings
necklace chain & clasp
Directions
Much like in my acrylic flag necklace, you begin by scoring your plexiglass with an x-acto knife. Cut along your ruler an inch from the edge of the plexiglass sheet, bend along the scoring, and snap the edge off, creating a clean, unsharp edge.
Make one 4 by 1 inch piece, two 3 by 1 inch pieces and two 2 by 1 inch pieces using this method. Then, mark a spot for two holes on an end of each piece of plexiglass. Punch your holes as marked using your punching tool.
Wrap each piece in washi tape. If it’s patterned, be careful to line up the pattern so it flows nicely across each necklace piece. I recommend cutting your washi tape with scissors (rather than tearing) to have clean ends as well.
Trim any washi tape hanging over the edges of your plexiglass with an x-acto knife, being careful of your work surface.
Mark where the holes are in each tape-covered necklace piece, and punch out the washi tape with your puncher. Paint a layer of Mod Podge over both sides of each pendant to seal. Let dry completely.
When all of your pieces are covered and dry, connect them with jump rings (new to jump rings? Check out this post).
Attach the whole bib segment to a necklace chain and add a clasp to finish your necklace! An added bonus to this necklace, beyond its amazing affordability and ease to make, is how lightweight it is. Have you ever noticed how bib and statement necklaces are crazy heavy sometimes?
I first posted this project at The Good Weekly, the blog for Goodsmiths.
Laurie
August 31, 2013 at 2:54 pmWhere do you buy washi papers in Chicago?
Thanks!
Heidi
September 1, 2013 at 8:29 amWashi tape has become widely available in the past year due to its popularity. I get mine online if I want a super unique pattern, but Target, Michaels & JoAnn all carry it nationwide. There are many stores carrying washi these days, but the hard part is that it’s sometimes not called washi tape.
Carol
September 15, 2014 at 9:27 pmI have been looking for that same X-Acto knife and I can’t find it. Do you happen to have or know the model number or any info that could be specific to this type of X-Acto knives?
Thank you,
Heidi
September 18, 2014 at 10:11 pmMy x-acto knife came in a set called “x-acto knife set,” and the back of the holder it came in says “x-cal gift setwtab” (yes, setwtab is all one word). The number X5094 is on the back as well. Hope that helps! -Heidi