DIY origami-style necklace | How About Orange

September 06, 2012

DIY origami-style necklace

Here's an origami jewelry experiment that's useful if you're broke, or if your eyeballs enjoy looking at folded paper. (Speaking of crafts for the fiscally challenged, Amy Sedaris' book Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People is hilarious. But I digress.)

This pleated paper necklace is made with paper, glue, and inexpensive jewelry parts. I bought this length of chain for $1 and the lobster clasp for 45 cents at a local hobby store. Jump rings were a penny each, or available in a package like this. Attach the clasp to the chain using the rings and a pliers. You could also find a necklace at a thrift store or use an old chain you already have, cutting it at the center to create two loose ends. Set it aside until the paper pendant is ready.

Cut an odd number of squares of paper, any size you like. Mine were 1.5" square, and I cut 7 of them.

Accordian-fold each square. (I fold the square in half, then fold each panel in half again until the panels are too small to continue folding.) Fold the accordian in half and secure the adjacent panels with glue to create a fan shape.

Glue the fans together, alternating them right-side up and upside-down.

I added a coat of clear Krylon acrylic spray as a sealer, which seemed to have no visible effect. Maybe a coat of Hard Coat Mod Podge or clear nail polish would be a good experiment?

Attach chains to each end of the paper structure. Sandwich the chain inside the outermost accordion fold, add a dot of hot glue and press the flap shut.

Of course I had to try an orange necklace, but if it reminds you of deer hunting or construction zones, white or metallic paper would be nice. Or try making one out of stiffened fabric.

For other paper jewelry projects, see here and here.

20 comments:

Kasey said...

this is adorable!!

Della Marie said...

I'm broke AND my eyeballs enjoy looking at folded paper. Fun idea! Thanks for sharing!!!

Grandma G said...

Aw, that's so cute!

Um... are you saying you're broke? You could always come to us, y'know.... ;)

Mum

Jessica Jones said...

Alex spent all our money on his new blender. Heh heh.

Grandma G said...

Ah, I see!! But just think how healthy you'll be now... it'll be worth sacrificing all that real jewelry for paper!!

Jessica Jones said...

I don't know...

Jo said...

Hihi thinking about orange:
I gave my shoes and orange upgrade :D
http://outofpeonies.blogspot.ca/2012/09/diy-shoe-makeover-ii.html

Greetings from Canada
Jo :)

Anita Pra said...

Aw! very beatiful!!
I going to do it.

Erika said...

This is so unique!

Chiara said...

Oh yes... I would like to do this with fabric! It's amazing! :)

ciao ciao
Chiara

Sam said...

Love it!!

Anonymous said...

this is so so cute.

Tine i Rosablokken said...

This is geniouse!

Mike said...

This is beautiful.

Rachel (Lines Across) said...

Gorgeous! I love how the folded paper looks next to the metal chain. What a fun idea. Thanks for sharing!

Anna.eM said...

wow ... the This is really fantastic :) I did not think that the paper can be easily done something so amazing ... just wow ... o_0

JudyG said...

What an awesome idea. Can't wait to try this with stiffened fabric. Earrings to match would keep you from feeling quite so "fiscally challenged".

Sarah Gullett said...

Awesome!

Broche Homme said...

Trop à la mode,c'est adorable!

Unknown said...

Clear nail polish is good toooooo :)