A few weeks ago, I wrote a post showcasing two ways to make necklaces. However, I had a few other photos with another type which I omitted at the time for being too simple. After some thought, I decided they needed some attention anyway, because simple projects are easiest for beginners.
On the left, I used an owl pendant I've had lurking in my supplies for many years. It came with an attached bail, and it was as simple as running the cord through the bail, and then adding the cord ends and findings.
On the right, I used a fancy bail, connected it to an ornate pendant, and added charms to the three points cast into it with more jump rings. I didn't notice until after I took the photo that the rightmost key had gotten twisted when I set up the photo. The left and right do hang symmetrically.
Supplies required:
- Cordage (ribbon, suede/leather cord, braided leather, etc.)
- Cord ends (socket, U-shaped sheet metal, or coil)
- Clasp and jump rings (if not included in your cord ends kit)
- Bail
- Pendant
- Jewelry pliers
- Glue (optional for most cord ends)
I had cord ends and findings with matching bronze finish, so it all looks quite coordinated. I recommend not mixing and matching unless you have a deliberately eclectic look in mind from the outset. The cord is from a spool of 3mm braided leather made in China, if memory serves. This can be found at craft stores or online retailers, and in a variety of cord diameters and colors.
Again, I defer to an excellent YouTuber's tutorial for the how-to details.
One final note: I have had bad luck with socket-type cord ends. These definitely require glue, and E6000 is quite effective. That isn't the problem, though. I do not recommended these unless you are willing to deal with the trial-and-error of finding a good combination. Yes, they are listed with the socket size (usually the diameter in millimeters), and leather braided cord is sold according to its nominal diameter, but getting them to match up is harder than one would hope. I need to find a tool or technique to gently open or close the opening to better fit the cord. Sometimes a cord which is ever-so-slightly too large can be stretched to reduce the diameter a bit. The example pictured here is not only too large for the cord despite matching nominal dimensions, but flared out at the opening, which would doubtless chafe badly.
