Rainbow Necklace

I made this necklace for my daughter's birthday outfit. We had a rainbow party and I came across this charm on Etsy. How cute is a piece of rainbow cake!!?? I wanted to make my own necklace, because everywhere you go they want $40 for a child's necklace, which is too expensive in my book. I paid $6.79 for the cake charm and $6.25 for the rainbow gumball beads (also on Etsy. I already had the pearls, wire, and crimping beads, but you can buy inexpensive kits at Walmart or Michael's to get those.

You will need:

Rainbow cake charm www.Etsy.com/shop/jessieraye?ref=ss_profile

Rainbow 12mm "gumball beads" www.Etsy.com/shop/fizzypops?ref=seller_info

Pearls or other beads to alternate in between other beads

tiny silver beads to alternate in between other beads

Needle nose pliers

scissors

beading kit with wire, crimping beads, and clasps ( I like the hook kind or the toggle so my daughter can take it on and off herself. The lobster clasp she can't do on her own)

E6000 glue and a toothpick

1. Figure out the pattern you want. I wrote my colors in order that I want to use them, knowing I will add a silver bead, pearl, and another silver bead between each color

2. Here I layed them out in order to get a view of what it will look like.

3. Cut about 1.5 times the length of the wire you want. I compared my length to a necklace my daughter already had that I liked. Put two crimping beads on the end of the wire, then one of the clasps. Loop the wire around the clasp, then slide the two crimping beads over the folded wire and clamp tightly with your pliers.

4. Here I am reinforcing the crimping beads by painting them with E6000 glue and a toothpick. I don't like to use crimping beads covers because in my experience, folding the crimping bead so it will fit inside the bead cover makes the crimping bead weaker. Also, the glue will help prevent the necklace from breaking and all the beads flying off.

Then, I added several silver beads to begin because this is the part that will be in the back of the neck. It will save you money because you won't be using up all of your expensive beads. I was able to make two necklaces with my gumball beads (I had to buy two cake charms). Make sure you have the same amount of beads on either side of the charm! It might take several trys to get it right to it your desired length.

5. Thread your entire necklace. Don't forget to put the cake in the middle. Add one final crimping bead to the finished end. Leave more wire than you see pictured! I made it too short and it was really hard to get my final clasp on there. I like to put a crimping bead to tightly clamp the threaded beads so they are not loose, then I put my second crimping bead on, then the clasp and then clamp. Then glue again. Let the glue dry for 24 hours, then the necklace is ready to wear!

"Green" Cuff

As people have a desire to conserve the environment, "green" crafting is becoming more popular. I have seen some bracelets made out of water bottles, but a paper towel roll can be used as well. Just don't get it wet. If only the World Cup sweat-bands were this cute! :)

-You will need some scissors, glue and a tube from a paper towel roll or toilet paper roll. Cut the desired thickness of the cuff you want.

-Cut the tube to separate it and a small piece of elastic

-Cut tube with elastic glued to it, so it can be stretched on a wrist

-Glue the fabric or ribbon on the cuff you want to make. Use clips or some kind of clamp to get it to stick well. For the girl cuff I glued the elastic on last, the boy cuff I glued the elastic on first, then wrapped the fabric around the cuff

Boy cuff

Here is the girl version, perfect for July 4th!