Create Craft
MAKE AN EASY UPCYCLED NECKLACE CRAFT FROM PLASTIC LIDS
Creating an upcycled necklace from plastic lids is a fun and eco-friendly craft project. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to make your own upcycled necklace:
Materials You’ll Need:
1. Plastic bottle lids (various sizes and colors)
2. String or cord (e.g., nylon cord, leather cord, or embroidery floss)
3. Scissors
4. Hole punch or a sharp object (e.g., nail or awl)
5. Beads (optional)
6. Clasp and jump rings (optional)
Instructions:
1. Collect Plastic Lids: Start by collecting plastic bottle lids of various sizes and colors. You can use lids from soda bottles, milk jugs, or any plastic containers. Rinse them thoroughly and let them dry.
2. Prepare Your String: Cut a length of string or cord to your desired necklace length, leaving some extra for tying knots and attaching a clasp if you choose to use one. A typical necklace length is around 18-20 inches (45-50 cm).
3. Punch Holes in the Lids: Use a hole punch or a sharp object (like a nail or an awl) to create a hole near the edge of each plastic lid. Make sure the holes are large enough to thread your string through.
4. Arrange the Lids: Lay out your plastic lids in the order you want them to appear on your necklace. You can arrange them by color, size, or create a pattern.
5. Thread the Lids onto the String: Begin threading the lids onto your string by passing the string through the hole in each lid. You can alternate between different lid sizes and colors to create a visually appealing pattern. If you want, add beads between the lids for extra decoration.
6. Tie Knots: Once you’ve threaded all the lids and beads onto the string, tie a knot at each end to secure them in place. Make sure the knots are tight.
7. Optional Clasp: If you’d like to add a clasp for easy wearing and removal, attach jump rings to the ends of the string and a lobster clasp to one of the jump rings. This will allow you to fasten and unfasten your necklace easily.
8. Trim Excess String: Trim any excess string after tying knots and attaching the clasp, if applicable.
9. Finishing Touches: Give your necklace a final look and make any necessary adjustments to the arrangement of the lids. Ensure that all the knots are secure.
10. Wear and Enjoy: Your upcycled plastic lid necklace is now ready to wear! Show off your eco-friendly and creative jewelry piece.
This upcycled necklace is not only a fun craft project but also a great way to repurpose plastic lids and contribute to reducing plastic waste. Feel free to customize it further by adding more beads, charms, or other decorative elements to make it uniquely yours.
CREATE YOUR OWN UPCYCLED NECKLACE CRAFT
Creating your own upcycled necklace craft is a fantastic way to give new life to old or unused materials while expressing your creativity. Here’s a unique idea for making an upcycled necklace using old keys:
Materials You’ll Need:
1. Old keys (various shapes and sizes)
2. Sandpaper or a file
3. Acrylic paint and paintbrushes
4. Clear varnish or Mod Podge (optional)
5. String or cord (e.g., leather cord or waxed cotton cord)
6. Jump rings
7. Lobster clasp or toggle clasp
8. Jewelry pliers
9. Needle-nose pliers
10. Scissors
Instructions:
1. Preparation: Gather all your old keys. They could be keys you no longer use or vintage keys you’ve collected. Clean them thoroughly to remove any dirt or grime.
2. Sand and Paint: If your keys are rusty or tarnished, use sandpaper or a file to smooth any rough edges and remove rust. Once they’re clean and smooth, paint your keys with acrylic paint. You can use a single color or create a design. Let the paint dry completely.
3. Protect the Paint (Optional): If you want to protect the paint and give your keys a glossy finish, apply a layer of clear varnish or Mod Podge over the painted surface. Allow it to dry.
4. Create Holes: Use a drill or a small hand drill to make a hole at the top of each key. Ensure the hole is large enough to fit your cord through. Be careful while drilling and wear safety goggles.
5. Cut the Cord: Cut a length of cord for your necklace, typically around 18-20 inches (45-50 cm), depending on your desired necklace length.
6. Thread the Keys: Thread the keys onto the cord. You can alternate between different keys or arrange them in a pattern of your choice.
7. Add Jump Rings: Attach jump rings to the holes in the keys using needle-nose pliers. This will allow the keys to hang evenly from the cord.
8. Attach the Clasp: On one end of the cord, use jump rings and pliers to attach either a lobster clasp or a toggle clasp, depending on your preference.
9. Adjust Length: Before securing the clasp, try on the necklace to check the length. Adjust the cord if necessary to ensure a comfortable fit.
10. Secure the Clasp: Once you’re satisfied with the length, use the pliers to securely close the clasp, making sure it won’t come undone.
11. Final Touches: Give your necklace a final look and make any adjustments to the arrangement of the keys. Ensure that all the jump rings and clasps are securely fastened.
12. Wear and Enjoy: Your upcycled key necklace is now ready to wear! It’s a unique and stylish piece of jewelry that not only looks great but also carries a story of recycling and creativity.
Feel free to experiment with different key shapes, colors, and arrangements to make your necklace truly one-of-a-kind. Upcycling projects like this are not only environmentally friendly but also allow you to express your personal style.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Make a collection of all your plastic lids and check to see that they are all dry and clean. We used brown, green, and white lids, and they all appeared to function flawlessly.
2. With the help of her paint pens, my daughter enjoyed creating various designs for her lids. Simple designs, we discovered, were the most effective. You might need to wait a little while for each colour to dry before adding the next colour, depending on the style of lid and the sort of paint pens you’re using.
3. Add your jewel stickers to your lids after they are totally dry. This step is optional; we chose to merely embellish a few of our necklaces with jewels.
4. The next step must only be completed by an adult. The lids must be pierced; I used a nail and discovered that certain lids were easier to do so than others. Make sure the holes are large enough to accommodate your satin cord.
5. To complete your necklace, thread your satin jewellery cord through the openings and fasten the lids with a knot. Before tying the top knot, have your children try the necklace on to make sure the length is appropriate. I added two knots to our necklaces for further security.
Making these necklaces was a lot of fun, and they all have such vibrant colours. My daughter is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to construct more to continue gathering plastic lids! She has pledged to make each of her schoolmates a unique repurposed necklace.