DIY: Fringe Necklace

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I made this necklace back in January. It’s my go-to, match-with-everything necklace. I can just slip it right over my neck and rock and roll. I made it at 3 in the morning just before leaving for Altitude summit. Understandably, I just couldn’t sleep, so I made something. When I get stressed, my hands get busy.

And did I tell you fringe is the new ruffle? Heck, everything is the new ruffle.

Click below to learn how to make this simple craft. You’ll be able to whip one up in about 15 minutes, as long as you have the supplies on hand. Oh, and I bet this would work nicely in a vegan leather, felt or even denim. With denim, cut up as directed and let it naturally fray, or use fray check to keep it from unravelling.

This is the perfect craft for little remnants! Hope you get as much use out of your fringe necklace as I have.

FRINGE LEATHER NECKLACE

Supplies:

  • ruler
  • cutting mat
  • 2 pairs pliers
  • jump rings
  • 20 in. necklace chain
  • X-acto knife
  • leather (3×7 in.)
  • strong glue
  • wire

Cut out your leather about 3×8 inches. You will likely cut it down as you move along. Cut strips about 1/4-1/8 inches apart with an X-Acto knife, about 1-2 inches from the top. Be careful and use a cork-bottomed ruler! You don’t want to slip up and cut your finger! I’ve done this before, it SUCKS.

Cut about 8 inches of wire and make a loop about 1/3 into the length of the wire. start twisting the remainder towards the middle. Line it up with your leather scrap to make sure the loops are about 1/4 inch wider than your strip of leather. Repeat the loop and coiling on the other side.

Apply glue to the underside of the leather and roll overtop your wire.

Use your fingers or a bone folder to press a crease into the backside of the necklace.

Attach your necklace chain to the fringe with jump rings. Alternatively: if you don’t have jump rings on hand, or lack the patience to work with them, attach the chain to the wire loop before coiling and gluing down leather.

When separating jump rings, open perpendicular to the ring itself. You’ll have a much easier time loading and closing the jump ring.

And just like that you have a rad necklace! Cut smaller strips for more rugged fringe or wider strips for cleaner lines. At this point, you might want to trim the bottom. Go for a straight crop, chevron or an asymmetrical angle. Enjoy!

This tutorial/freebie is free for personal use and should not be distributed/republished without the express consent of Melissa Esplin. I love getting shout outs from around the web, but please, link with love. Do not copy this post, publish more than 2 photos or outright steal this idea for commercial publications. If you would like to use this tutorial for commercial purposes, please email me. Thanks!

 

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    1. Love your project: simple and cute! Great way to reuse leather/denim scraps.

    2. kristin says:

      please oh please make a calligraphy piece that says “everything is the new ruffle.” i love it! love the necklace too. :D

    3. love this!
      Do you have a favorite resource for leather? I have searched and have a hard time finding the real stuff.

      thanks!

    4. […] I mentioned that everything is the new ruffle while talking about the fringe necklace DIY. Internet friend and fellow blogger Kristin begged for me to write it out in […]

    5. Melissa says:

      Upholstery shops always have scraps, but I usually just go to Tandy Leather. They have scraps and large hides. Leather hides on Ebay and old leather jackets at thrift stores are great sources, too. Hope that helps!

    6. marissa says:

      i so love this! thanks for the inspiration!

    7. marissa says:

      i LOVE this! thanks for the inspiration!

    8. marissa says:

      i%20LOVE%20this!%20thanks%20for%20the%20inspiration!

    9. […] another necklace that I’ve had for some time, but have failed to share with […]

    10. Lauren says:

      Great necklace! Now where to find the dress you’re wearing? Gray AND polka dots? Perfect!

    11. […] hey hey hot black fringe necklace.. we need you in our jewelry […]

    12. April says:

      I saw a necklace in a Swell magazine a little bit ago similar to this, and I’ve been looking for simple DIYs on how to do it since! Thank you so much for this lovely and simple DIY!! Can’t wait to try it :D

    13. […] Fringe Necklace //Melissa Esplin […]

    14. […] Ikea Hack – Leather Tote: I love a good re-fashion and this tote is darling, made from a pillowcase! And Melissa made that necklace she’s wearing here: DIY Fringe Leather Necklace. […]

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