Credit Card Necklace or Bracelet

When you get rid of an old credit card that you don't use anymore it's important that you cut it up before throwing it away. Identity theft is a huge issue now and you don't want someone getting his hands on one of your credit cards. Since you're going to be cutting it up anyway, why not cut a section out that will help you make a cool necklace, bracelet, or anklet. When you make credit card jewelry you don't have a magnificent, gold, silver, or diamond piece, but you do end up with an adorable nameplate piece, which is fashionable and really easy to make.

A nameplate jewelry piece is just what it says. It's your name, made into your chosen necklace or other piece. All you have to do is cut your name from the credit card. Then, with a tiny bit of work, you can turn the little plastic rectangle into jewelry.

Use a large needle, or tiny nail, to make holes in the top two corners of the nameplate. To do that, hold a pair of pliers with a potholder, and hold the needle or nail with the pliers. Heat it up with a lighter or by using the burner on your stove. Push the hot needle into each corner and move it around in a circular motion to slightly enlarge it.

Open a tiny jewelry link and hook it in one of the holes. Clamp the ring shut with needle-nose pliers. Do the same to the opposite side. Then, attach a chain. Measure around your neck, wrist, or ankle, to get an idea of how long you want the chain to be. Open a link on the end of the chain, hook it to one link on the card, then do the same to the opposite corner.

Although the nameplate jewelry looks cute as it is there are many variations you can do. For example, instead of cutting your name from the card, you can cut the card logo to make jewelry. Or, instead of using the plastic nameplate as it is, you can glue cord or lace around the perimeter. Another option - one that makes the nameplate a little more dazzling - is to glue tiny rhinestones around the perimeter.

The next time you find yourself cutting up an old credit card go ahead and make yourself a new piece of jewelry. It can literally be made in minutes but you'll enjoy wearing it for years.