the DIY: HEADPIECE OUT OF A NECKLACE

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So Free People creates lovely headpieces just like this....
But sadly they are waaaaayyyy out of our price range! They make them for $75, $98, and $158. Ours was practically free! Of course, we still love Free People!

So to create this headpiece you will need an old necklace (or necklace strands bought from the jewelry making section in a craft store), jewelry chain, jump rings, a lobster claw fastener, and some pliers. My jump rings and fastener are going to come straight off of the old necklace.
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This is the necklace as it was originally supposed to be worn. Not so hot, huh? But I made sure Casey didn't throw it away because I knew one day we could probably do something with it. And what do ya know? A cute headpiece was born.

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As you can see, this necklace has four strands. We won't be using all of those strands but we are going to disassemble the whole necklace.

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Loosen all of the jump rings but make sure you don't destroy them.

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When you have pulled apart the whole necklace, every piece should be on it's own. You should have some jump rings, some necklace strands, a fastener and extras.

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Connect the extra chain with two jump rings to the ends of one of the necklace strands.

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This is what it should look like when it is all connected.

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You will then cut the chain. The way you measure how much you cut is by putting this whole piece around your head. It should wrap around right at the top of your forehead and the ends should match up perfectly touching in the back of the head.

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On one end of the strand connect the lobster claw fastener with a jump ring, and then on the other side add a jump ring.

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Now we are going to connect the center piece. I've picked the shortest necklace strand and I will connect it in the front with a jump ring.

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I've just connected it to the string that the beads are on. After it is connected, put the headpiece on and measure the center piece over the top of your head.

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When you find where the pieces should connect in the back (by measuring it on your head) connect it with a jump ring. My strand was a little longer than it needed to be so I just let the extra part hang over.

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Now I'm just connecting the end of the old necklace to the end of the center piece with a jump ring. I think this just gives it a nice finish.

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Done and ready to wear!

Check out what it looks like on Casey!
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Obviously this doesn't look exactly like Free People's headpiece up top but it is our cheaper version and I really like it! I might even think I like the color version more.

8 comments

  1. I love this so much! Thanks for the tutorial and the inspiration!

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    1. Our pleasure! We think it's fun :) Glad you liked it.

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  2. This is awesome i just got done making two headpieces myself and they're so easy!!!
    And i like the fact that when you make em yourself no one will ever have one similar :]

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  3. that's genius! looks lovely on you :)

    thecoattaileffect.blogspot.com

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  4. Cool! I will definitely try making one this weekend! I just hope there are available materials in pandora dealer stores.

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  5. Another project of yours that got some link love at http://lipstickandawhitetee.blogspot.com/2012/12/favorite-diys-from-2012.html , LOVE this!

    J

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  6. I’ve been admiring head piece jewellery for awhile, but couldn’t afford the price tag either! I’m so lucky to find this tutorial – you’ve made it so easy to understand and make. And as Valerie said – noone will have the same. I’ve made silver druzy pendants from a blog I also found by chance and so many people have asked me where I got them from. I feel so motivated to start a little upcycled craft business of my own.

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