30 Handmade Necklaces That Make a Stunning First Impression

YASU+JUNKO

"Wow, you made that yourself?"

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Charm Necklaces

YASU+JUNKO

You can learn a lot about an individual by their choice of jewelry. Do they like big beads? Delicate chains? Ribbons? Frills and trims? Or minimalist-minded pendants? The only question left to answer is, 'What kind of statement would you make?'

We've reimagined the charm bracelet as a necklace with new combinations of chains, ribbons, and jump rings, all found at crafts and bead shops. Here, we mixed assorted chains with one another, as well as with sturdy ribbons and braided embroidery floss that withstand wear.

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Bold Bauble Necklace

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.

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Dyed Wooden Beads Necklace

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.

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Clay Necklaces

Chelsea Cavanaugh

Get The Clay Necklaces How-To

These clay necklaces can be made in two variations, create a half-moon pendant or a tube pendant. Use clay to make the pendants and once you're done just bake them in the oven to reveal the finished product.

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Wood and Neon Lanyard Necklace

Johnny Miller

Here's a throwback to arts and crafts class: Transform a handful of wooden beads and a few lengths of lanyard into a cool accessories that finds its inspiration in summer-camp projects.

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Braided Dupioni Silk Necklace

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.

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Shimmery Lariat Necklace

Raymond Hom

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.

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Jade Beaded Necklace with Ribbon

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.

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Semiprecious Stone Necklace

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.

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Wooden-Circle Bib Necklace

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

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Brooch Ribbon Necklace

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.

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Curios Cluster Necklace

Raymond Hom

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.

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T-Shirt Necklace

How to Make the T-Shirt Necklace

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

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Shell Necklace

Bryan Gardner

Wearing beach finds as jewelry gives you custom accessories reminiscent of summer. To make a pendant, choose a good-size shell, like the mussel shown, left; drill a hole in it with a craft drill.

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Sea-Glass Necklace

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

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Daisy Chain 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.

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The Chicest Link Necklace

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

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Beaded Necklace

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.

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