DIY jewelry from paperclips and tape | How About Orange

March 14, 2013

DIY jewelry from paperclips and tape


My local library recently advertised a class for making paperclip chandeliers. Sadly it was for 6th graders, but it piqued my interest. I went home and Googled paperclip chandeliers (awesomeness!) and that led me to Lauren Manoogian's paperclip statement necklaces. They were sold at arty shops, and even Anthropologie had a version for $168. Yeah, you read that right.

I was compelled to try it. They're the perfect, brainless thing to fiddle with while watching TV, or you could keep your kids busy for hours making chains. Make necklaces, or bracelets, or heck, garlands for your Christmas tree next December.

Supplies: paperclips, colored masking tape or electrical tape, and (optional) jewelry clasps.


Just wrap a piece of tape around each paperclip, connecting them in a chain.


Add optional jump rings and a lobster clasp (cheap supplies from a craft or bead store) if the necklace won't fit over your head.


This one has strands of varied lengths.


Geometric designs are popular right now, too. First lay out a paperclip pattern to plan your design. Pick up the first clip and wrap it with tape, then pick up the next, hook it on and wrap it with tape. One at a time, attach a paperclip and wrap with tape, adding rows as you go.


I'm on the fence about whether this is anything I'd actually wear, but the simple concept makes me happy.

Folks in Cambodia are making them out of food packaging. Or if you get super ambitious, why don't you go ahead and make a paperclip stair runner? Shouldn't take that long. Ha.

35 comments:

Elisa said...

Great idea :)

Grandma G said...

Crazy! But cool crazy! I could see Miss C having all kinds of fun with this. Maybe I'd better hide my tapes, huh? ;)

Mum

alicia said...

That is so neat!!

HawaiianLibrarian said...

awesome Spring goodness in pastels! mahalo for sharing.

stelledilatta said...

che idea strepitosa complimenti!

Craftcherry said...

How clever! I wish I had kept some of the paperclip collection I had when I was a kid.

Edna Siu said...

wow, it is amazing, it is so simple and yet so sharp, thanks.

annie dee said...

Looks cool. And must be very lightweight. Does it make an odd noise when you move?

Jessica Jones said...

Yep, it's light. It makes sort of a pleasant, beady sound. A quiet clacking. I kinda like it.

clars said...

awesome! must try! i love your blog :)

Anonymous said...

We used to make these in the 70's using strips of paper cut from magazines and newspapers and then gluing each piece.

Nancy B said...

I've seen a necklace made using sticky shelf liner paper in a marbled pattern rather than the electrical tape. Each "bead" had the appearance of a flat stone with metal loops coming out of the end.

Karina said...

OMG! I love these. You are so creative! I would never think of doing something like that. That necklace is so cool.

http://thewebsterslifeandhomeimprovement.blogspot.com/

Green Girl said...

ohhh, it looks so easy to do! what a cool idea!, pinned it:)

Neon Green Bike said...

wow, this is sooo cool! Def goes on my list.

Dora

Anonymous said...

I love DIYs I can use stuff I already have for. Thanks for sharing! I linked to this post on my blog: http://nocreationwithoutchaos.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

i love orange colours

Anonymous said...

I too remember making them in grade school in the 70s. I think we used contact paper.

KatBell said...

Love this! So glad your favorite color is orange too. Now I know what to do with that tape!

KeTreKo said...

Thumb up!!!

onel said...

Easy, bright and cute! What a smart idea, thanks for sharing!

The Joyful Thrifter said...

Oh my goodness! What an absolutely creative idea. Thank you for sharing!

Smiles,
Rachael
The Joyful Thrifter

sarah said...

Absolutely love this project, Jessica! Thanks for sharing it! Wondering if you could also please share where you got your coloured masking tape? I thought washi might work, but it seems really rare to find it in typical masking tape size (about 3/4"), which seems perfect for regular size paperclips. Help?!

Jessica Jones said...

Hi Sarah! It's from Blick, the art store chain.

able mabel said...

That is so cool! I doubt it would hold up to my baby grabbing at it though. ;)

Unknown said...

I don't think you should be on the fence at all - both of these look great! You'd never guess what they were made out of unless you got up reallly close (and if strangers were getting that friendly, I'd be worried!). If anything they look pricey. On my 'to try' list...

Praises from a Wife and Mommy! said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! I don't think I have enough patience to complete something like that but way to go it looks great. I have found some neat DIY projects on http://cleanjewelry.com/category/jewelry-storage/

sthrash said...

THANK You so much for your post. I have been given the task to come up with some crafty projects to take to El Savador. Where a group of us will teach women that have been rescued out of human trafficing the craft that they can sell to provide for themselves. I can see this working for them. I am beyond excited!

Jessica Jones said...

So happy to hear that!

Anonymous said...

amazing I made my own yesterday

Anuja said...

Can I use Washi Tape instead of masking tape ?

Jessica Jones said...

Sure! I've found that washi tape can be kind of translucent, though, so the design might get muddled if you wrap layer upon layer of it, and different layers show through. You could always wrap with white or cream masking tape first and add washi tape as the last layer, just going around once at the end.

Anonymous said...

Hi! I just want to ask, how do you make the geometric necklace?

Jessica Jones said...

Hi! I've tried to make the explanation a little clearer after the fifth photo. Hope that helps!

Anonymous said...

OMG! It worked so well! I made it and I'll be wearing it for my Aunt's wedding!!! Can't wait to show off!