Transform a handful of wooden beads and a few lengths of lanyard into a cool accessories that finds its inspiration in summer-camp projects.

We've pulled together all of our favorite handmade necklace crafts, including beaded strands and collars with feathers and candy, for you to make as gifts or keep for yourself.

A quick dye gives unfinished beads a beachy, weathered look. These monochromatic necklaces, strung on leather cord, can be worn solo or piled on for effect.

Dupioni silk in sherbet shades has a lovely luster. When you tear the fabric into strips, it frays, giving this braided necklace a soft, fringed look.

Metallic ribbon and silvery bugle beads have a subtle sheen that echoes the luster of pearls. If a few bugle beads come loose from the ties, don't fret--they can easily be replaced.

The combinations you can make with this necklace are endless. Start by choosing any color of beads and ribbon, and create one or more to wear together or on their own.

This versatile necklace adjusts to your outfit and your mood: Wear it long and lean, double it to accentuate a plunging neckline (shown here), or turn it into a ribbon-tied collar.

By using our basic stringing technique, you can make this sophisticated and modern necklace with wooden beads.

Bigger is better when it comes to this standout accessory with its jolly jumble of silver-painted and sequin-wrapped beads strung on a 36-inch length of silken cord.

Treat your sisters and girlfriends (and yourself) to jewelry that shimmers with style. Start with a handful of inexpensive costume pieces -- brooches and earrings with openwork designs -- and give them a new-old coppery patina using spray paint. Then link them together and add pretty pink ribbon. No one will guess you didn't break the bank.

The carefree cool of this anything-goes necklace extends to how you wear it. Tie the bow in the back, or off to the side for a funkier look.

Turn an old shirt into a piece of wearable art that's quite grown-up.

Create clay pendants in different shapes (we made two different-size hearts) and string them onto clear cord to make an adorable necklace.

Fashion your favorite wrapped candies into mega-karat baubles. To create these sweet necklaces, all you'll need is a bag of wrapped candies and a stapler.

Group together one type of chain (or several different ones) to create a very chic accessory.

Combine sea glass and ceramic shards and shells to form this beachy necklace.

Teach your kids the simple technique for linking flowers, and watch their creativity bloom: They can make a long bohemian strand, a demure choker, or anything in between.

These sparkly necklaces are delicately detailed, and they're neither difficult nor time-consuming to construct. Beads and the thin ribbon or silk beading cord on which to string them come in about any color imaginable, so you can tailor the jewelry to suit the specific tastes of your giftees.

Transform delicate beads into beautiful necklaces by threading fine wire through their holes, twisting and looping it so that each stone can be joined to the next. Or you can string beads on silk cord, which itself can become a design element.