It seems like everyone owns a pair of jeans. Children grow out of them, holes appear in the knees, and some pairs just lay dormant because they don’t ever fit quite right. Jeans are a crafter’s commodity. One pair of worn-out jeans can create many one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. Grab a pair of jeans, a favorite patch, and some chains. Create a necklace that your girlfriends will be begging for.
Cut your favorite, worn-out jeans into a shape smaller than your hand.
- A star shape works well for a patriotic necklace, a heart shape for a rock star necklace, or even your first initial could make a great pendant for a necklace.
- The shape you choose will help you portray the theme of the necklace.
- Don’t forget that shapes like circles, rectangles, squares, and shields work well too!
You will need to purchase an iron-on patch to go with your theme.
- There are so many choices in patches.
- You can find some that are decorated with rhinestones, some that look like tattoos, and in thrift stores you may even find some vintage patches sewn on jackets or shirts for a reasonable price.
- The patch I purchased came with two buttons and was $2.99.
- The patch was my only purchase for the necklace which made my total cost only $2.99.
Chains are what the denim shape hangs from.
- I used chains from broken necklaces that I just couldn’t toss out.
- Look in your local second-hand store or thrift store for jewelry.
- I have found jars of broken jewelry for $1.00.
- Belts in used clothing stores also make great chains for jewelry making.
- The hardware store is another place where you may find a chain or two for your necklace.
- Mixing and matching different colors, sizes, and types of chains will work well with this style of necklace.
Use items you may already have at home to decorate your denim shape.
- Embroidery floss is perfect for an outline or for stitching a word onto your shape.
- Beads from a broken necklace become sewn-on embellishments.
- Buttons, bottle caps, keys, old earrings, pins, and favorite memorabilia are perfect pieces to personalize your necklace.
- You may even want to print a photo onto fabric paper to capture a loved one onto your necklace.
Denim is lightweight, durable, and comfortable to wear. It is the perfect source for jewelry making. Up cycle that pair of worn-out jeans into gifts for your dear friends, a teacher “thank you,” or a unique piece of jewelry for a special occasion. Take pride in the fact that you spent very little and created something beautiful to be proud of.
~ Kara (Studio Pink)