Craft Ideas: Creative, Fun, and Funky Safety Pin Necklaces

Making your own jewelry isn't hard to do and you have so many different possibilities that the imagination is the only thing that holds you back. In fact, you can make a wide range of fantastic safety pin necklaces without a lot of work and in some great styles. Whether you like your necklaces to be pure fun and funky, or classy and beautiful, you can create a safety pin necklace to meet your ultimate desires.

The Basic.

A basic safety pin necklace is one that uses safety pins strung through their holes for a dangling affect. You will be using normal beading materials and can create several looks simply by choosing different sized pins and beads. For a basic safety pin necklace you will need safety pins (lots of them in the size that you like), beads (that are small enough to fit on the safety pin, or large enough should you choose larger pins), nylon coated beading wire, a clasp, and crimp beads. For tools you will need scissors and crimp pliers. It is also a good idea to have some glue. I recommend using Bead Fix which dries very fast, strong, and doesn't discolor your beads or leave a funny looking film on them.

The Directions.

Begin by opening all of your safety pins. This makes the beading process much faster. Add the beads in a pattern you like and close the pins. Set them aside. When you have all of them beaded you will want to add a drop of glue on the closing mechanism for added security. Set them aside to dry. Next cut a piece of nylon coated beading wire about four inches longer then the desired length of the piece. Fold one side of the wire over so that you have a piece that is about one and a half inches long and a piece that is the rest of your necklace. Add your clasp to this fold. Next add a crimp bead, sliding it over both wires. Press it to the clasp and crimp the bead. Now you are ready to string your necklace. Do this by adding one safety pin. You want to string the wire through the hole in the head of the safety pin (the head is the part where you close it). The next safety pin should be strung on the wire using the tale end (the side with a coil). Alternate them one head, one tail and so on. This will let them lay better. Once your piece is the length that you desire, add a crimp bead and then the other side of your clasp. Fold your wire and pass it back through the crimp bead. Pull tight and crimp the crimp bead. Trim your excess wires and add a drop of glue to each crimp bead for security.

To Crimp.

Crimping is a very important part of making jewelry, especially necklaces and bracelets and whenever you want to work with nylon coated beading wire. To complete the process you will need a pair of crimp pliers (some people crush the crimp beads with pliers, but this isn't as secure). The crimp plier has two notches. Notch one is closest to the handle and crescent moon shaped when you hold the pliers closed. You will want to stick the crimp bead in the first notch and crush the bead. This makes a dimple on one side. You will turn that dimple so that it is on the side. Then place the crimp bead into the second notch (closest to the tip of the plier) and crush it. This will cause the bead to fold in on itself. Gently squeeze it a little tighter using the flat head of the plier. Don't squeeze too tight or you will break the bead and make yourself start over. You have now crimped a bead. You can add a dot of glue for extra security, but don't have to if you don't want to.

Creative Ideas.

To get creative with this you can change the bead type. You can use small crystals, gemstone beads, seed beads, or e-beads. Other small beads work just well. You can also do this with sequins for a unique look. You can make patterns with the beads as well. For example use black and white. Do two black, two white, two black, and two white for a number of safety pins. Then change the pattern for a ways and go back again. This can make a unique and exciting looking necklace.

Dangles.

You can use the same method for making a dangling safety pin necklace. Instead of being done when you have reached the strung necklace, go back through and add a second safety pin every five or ten safety pins or to the front ten safety pins for a longer look there. Make sure you add glue to these as well.

Choker or collar.

You can also string these so that both sides of the safety pin have been strung. This will make a collar or a choker. You have a few options, you can run all the safety pins in the same direction with a bead between each one (on both strands). You can also finish this with jump rings and a clasp or you can attach ribbon and make a ribbon tie clasp or add a ribbon end to the ribbon. All of these options can make for a great and elegant looking piece.

More Beads.

If you don't like the color look of the safety pin strung necklace, you can string beads for most of the necklace and add safety pins for the center section. This gives a great focal point for your necklace and an unusual look.

Safety Pin Strand.

You can also bead the safety pins and hook them end to end with jump rings or short strands of beads. You can do this with all sorts of color and looks. If you are wanting more color then the one side of the safety pin offers then you can use colored wire to wrap both sides of the safety pin. You can then hook them together. If you are wanting even more fun you can do a multi-strand necklace for a great look.

Charmed.

You can also simply string the safety pins with or without beads and add a variety of great charms. This gives a great look and can be a lot of fun. Plus it is an easy and interesting charm necklace.

The Funkiest.

For those that aren't satisfied with the funky looks that can be achieved with these pattern ideas, you can make special paper beads with the safety pins. You will need scissors, a tooth pick or paint brush, markers or paints (construction paper is also an option), safety pins, a clasp, jump rings or wire, clear finger nail polish, and white glue (school glue or craft glue).

To begin this project you will want to cut out a long narrow triangle. This should be just narrower then the safety pin and 6-10" long getting narrower after the first inch and a half. You will want to color this or paint it in the colors of your choice (this is one great place to be funky and have fun). Take one safety pin and fold the paper over it. Add glue and let dry. You can fold paper over all of the safety pins so that they can have glue drying. Then roll the paper around the safety pin, gluing as you go (use the paint brush or tooth pick to put the glue on paper). Let it dry (you can work on the others while the starting ones dry). Then coat it in finger nail polish and let dry. Once everything is thoroughly dry (waiting 24 hours could be a good idea) then hook the pins together. This works best with wire that is made into jump rings or pre-made jump rings. Attach a clasp after your necklace has reached the length you desire. This can also be done with wire or jump rings.

You can have fun with this in the decorating of your paper. You can add glitter glue for a sparkling necklace. Another option is to hook your safety pins together for a completely different look. Get creative with multiple beads on a safety pin or changing the shape of the paper that your roll onto the safety pin (two triangles hooked together will give you an hour glass bead). Have fun making truly funky necklaces.

Whatever you decide you can make a great necklace with safety pins. You can even make several great necklaces and then sell them or keep them for yourself. No matter what your fashion desires, there is something you can do with safety pins for a great necklace. Plus, you can have a lot of fun and your imagination is the only thing that limits you!