Hey friends! I’ve got a quick design I want to share with you today that combines copper and real turquoise in a unique and quick to make piece! Handmade jewelry makes great gift ideas for girls, and if you have made jewelry charms before (or are willing to practice for a try or two!) then you will find that this necklace is easy to make and takes less than 10 minutes.
I loved the ornate copper connector I found when shopping online at today’s post sponsor, Happy Mango beads. It’s a really unusual piece, and I love copper paired with turquoise. The cool thing about using large connectors like this is that all you have to do is assemble pieces together with a few jump rings. I did make the beaded charm (which I will show you how to do today, in case you aren’t familiar!) but any pre-made charm, bead, or pendant can be attached to the lower ring.
Supplies needed to make this copper + turquoise DIY necklace:
You can click any link below to shop for supplies from Happy Mango Beads!
- 24-36″ 3mm copper rollo chain (this will vary on your length preference – I like a 28″ chain)
- Turquoise disc beads (I used 5, with a diameter of approximately 8mm – you can shop other shapes and sizes here
- Bib-style copper pendant connector
- Ornate copper head pin
- 2 – 6mm copper jump rings
- 1 – 10mm copper jump ring
- Round nose pliers
- Chain nose pliers
- Flush Cutters
Begin by stacking your turquoise beads onto a copper head pin. At the top of the bead stack, grip the pin with your round nose pliers, and bend the wire around the pliers to form a loop as shown above.
Next, wrap the excess wire around the base of the head pin between the top of the beads and the bottom of the loop you created. Wrap at least twice for security, but you can wind it as many times as you like to fill the gap between the beads and the loop. Use flush cutters to trim off the excess wire. If you find that your wire pokes out a little, use chain nose pliers to press the sharp edge down so that it doesn’t scratch you or catch on your clothing.
Once your bead charm is made, all you have to do is connect all the pieces together. Use the large jump ring to connect the bead charm to the bottom of the copper pendant.
Then, connect the chain to the top holes in the pendant using the small jump rings. Because I use a length of chain long enough to slip over my head, I don’t bother to connect a clasp. If you prefer a shorter length necklace, simply cut the chain into two equal pieces, and connect a lobster clasp to one side and a jump ring to the other.
It’s that simple to make this great-looking DIY necklace that’s perfect for a casual outfit or for the office – and of course don’t forget, it makes for great DIY gift ideas for women!
Thanks for joining me today, I hope you liked this DIY necklace idea! I’ll see you all again soon!
This necklace is very pretty, The main attraction; 10 minute completion time! (LOL) Your sharing is appreciated.
Do you have any ideas for a substitute for the turquoise disc beads? At $88 per strand these are a little too expensive for me – although I really love them.
Hi Patricia! I know what you mean about the turquoise, it’s not one of the cheaper gemstones! The strand of beads I bought has made several projects for me, so as I use just a few beads at a time, the cost isn’t bad!
But here are some alternatives!
Assorted gemstones: http://happymangobeads.com/assorted-disc-gemstone-beads-14-18mm-gs4350/
Wood beads in a turquoise color: http://happymangobeads.com/teal-rondelle-disc-wood-beads-5mm-indonesia-wd238/
Glass disc beads (these are sold by bead, so you can get only the number of beads you need) http://happymangobeads.com/plum-purple-glass-disc-bead-15-19mm-cb379/
Aqua Terra jasper (these might go directly into my cart, love!!) http://happymangobeads.com/aqua-terra-jasper-disc-gemstone-beads-6mm-gs4218/
Blue glass suacer beads: http://happymangobeads.com/transparent-blue-saucer-glass-beads-10mm-jv917/
Howlite saucer beads: http://happymangobeads.com/turquoise-howlite-saucer-gemstone-beads-8mm-gs4172/
Natural chip magnesite (these may be the closest to what I actually used, just in a different color): http://happymangobeads.com/natural-howlite-chip-gemstone-beads-12-26mm-gs4208/
Bear in mind that I used approximately 8mm size beads here. Some of these suggestions are larger or smaller, though 6-10mm beads will be VERY similar. You can also do a search for the following shapes – disc beads, saucer beads, heishi beads, or rondelle beads. All of those will be wider than they are tall like the shape above, and usually look nice stacked up like this. Hope you find something else you love!
Bear in mind that I used approximately 8mm size beads here. Some of these suggestions are larger or smaller, though 6-10mm beads will be VERY similar. You can also do a search for the following shapes
Very nice
Good week end
femmes-en-1900
Very nice, Thanks
I checked the site and can’t find the connector. Help… I have to make this project!
I used “bib style copper pendant connector” as my search criteria.
Thanks AG
Hey Amber! The link in the supply list up above will take you directly to it *if it’s in stock* and I see it’s temporarily out. I do know that they recently featured this design – so check back soon, or check with their customer service to find out when they plan to re stock. So sorry about the timing!
I love this necklace and I’m trying to find the turquoise disc but I’m not able to find them is there any way you can help me out?
Hey Helen, take a look up abopve in the comments, you’re not the only one running into a supply shortage. This has been an extremely popular project, and when this style bead is sold out, it will take you instead to the main page.
looking good
nice post
I just love these designs. These pictures are beautiful and classy. Thank you for sharing DIY ideas and inspiration.