DIY Halloween Accessories | Skeleton Cameo Necklace

Happy Monday, friends!  We spent our weekend getting into the Halloween spirit around here, with a trip to pick out pumpkins and figuring out the kids’ costumes, now that Halloween is just a couple weeks away.  If you’re looking for some ideas for your own DIY Halloween accessories, I’ve got an understated jewelry project for you to try!  It’s spooky without being over-the top: something you can wear to work, school, or a party to feel festive, even if you’ve outgrown dressing up.

At a glance, this long necklace has an antique-inspired classic style, but up close, the profile is a spooky skull of a young lady, making it perfect for Halloween – or anytime you want an offbeat or unusual piece of jewelry.  I shared this project at the Consumer Crafts blog, Crafts Unleashed, last month, and I wanted to take the time today to share it with you guys as well!

All of the supplies I used to make this necklace are available from Consumer Crafts, and I’ll leave links in the list below for your convenience in case you’re inspired to do some shopping!  Then, read on for a way to make some of your own DIY Halloween accessories.

• 5mm Antique Bronze Stamped Chain (30 inches).
• 2mm Antique Bronze Cable Chain (20 inches).
• Steampunk Skeleton Cameo.
• Antique Gold Filigree Bead(s).
• Antique Bronze Jump Rings.
• Antique Bronze Lobster Clasp (optional if you make a long necklace).
• Gold Eye Pin.
• Wire Cutters.
• Chain Nose Pliers.
• Round Nose Pliers.

To begin, cut 8 pieces of 2mm cable chain into 2.5 inch lengths.  (If you’re low on chain, you can shorten this length, too – that’s the beauty of DIY jewelry.  It’s easy to make the style all your own.)

Next, we will create (an optional) filigree connector.  The DIY Halloween necklace will function just fine without the addition of a large bead, but I think it adds a little something extra!  To create the connector, thread a filigree bead (or a crystal, or whatever you love the looks of) onto an eye pin.  Loop the top part of the pin around a pair of round-nosed pliers, and cut off the excess wire.  This will give you a bead with a loop at each end.  It’s called a connector because we’ll be using it as the connecting piece between the chain tassel and the cameo pendant.  Note: if you don’t have eye pins, you can easily use 18 or 20-gauge brass wire to create your connector instead.  You’ll just need to form a loop on both ends if you use a bit of wire.

Twist open a large jump ring (this one is approximately 10mm) with your pliers.  Add the chain lengths onto the ring, and also one end of your beaded connector.  Twist the jump ring closed.

Using a second jump ring, connect the bead and tassel to the bottom of the cameo pendant.  You can see, the back of the cameo has both a loop for a necklace chain, and also a pin on the back – so it can be worn as a pin or a necklace.

I opted to make mine into a necklace, of course (though this would be a really sassy addition to a jacket!) so I used 30 inches of 5mm stamped chain to string it.  If you’re making your necklace long like this, you can skip the addition of the clasp, and just slip it over your head.  Or, to finish it off, you can also add a lobster clasp and jump ring to each end.

If you enjoyed this idea for making DIY Halloween accessories, you might also enjoy making your own Halloween apothecary pin – the free project is available at Crafts Unleashed.  Thanks for joining me for today’s jewelry project, and I’d love you hear if you’re making any spooky accessories this year!