I have lots and lots of decorative pins that I rarely use for my crafty projects. When I do though, it's a miracle. You will most likely find them sticking out on my cork board or sitting in a clear jar, looking pretty.
Never did I think about using them as beads for my jewelry.
To keep with the fall theme, I picked out the leaf pins.
Use snippers or flush cutters to remove sharp end of pin, leaving just over 1/4 of an inch attached to the leaf.
Create a simple loop using round nose pliers. The stick pins have a coating on them, you'll notice them flaking off when making the loops...use steel wool to remove excess of coating, making sure not to scrap surface of the leaf.
Attach each one to a loop on the chain, making sure they are evenly spaced and wear throughout the fall season.
Tip: Because the simple loop has a slight opening at the bottom, leaves will easily fall off the chain. To prevent this from happening, wrap wire around bottom of simple loop twice. Snip off excess and use flat nose pliers to squeeze more firmly. This will create a wire wrapped loop and a more finished look without your creation falling apart.
Maya Road also carries these trinket pins in turquoise and brown, which would be fun to mix up the colors creating a cluster to dangle from your ears or hang around your wrist. Think that would be pretty.
Cheers :)
so simple...but i LOVE it!!
Posted by: amy | October 13, 2010 at 09:12 AM
I love this idea! I have a bunch of those just sitting in my craft room, not being used. Thanks for the idea. Becca :)
Posted by: Becca | October 13, 2010 at 10:51 AM
oh jewelry genius...these are awesome! cindy, you are so stinkin' creative. love it! :)
Posted by: rebekah | October 15, 2010 at 12:43 AM