How to make a Junk Necklace

I love junk! And I love unique items that I can repurpose.  Recently, I took some of my favorite junky things and made a Junk Necklace.


how to make a junk necklace, repurposed, charms, jewelry

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In all of my junking trips, (see more flea market tips here and here) I love to pick up interesting little bits and pieces that catch my eye.  I usually shove them into a drawer and forget about them.  One day I was cleaning those drawers out and come across a bunch of metal pieces and old jewelry that I thought would make great necklaces.

Supplies  Used  to  Make  Junk  Necklaces


Beads -I used beads left over from other projects.




Charms -I used charms that I found in the mixed media/scrapbook section at the craft store.




Keys - I used vintage keys.  I especially like the ones that have interesting shapes and patina!!




You can use metal stamps to stamp out a message onto the key.




Jewelry- Use necklace charms from old necklaces or purchased new from the craft store.  




Vacation Souvenirs - You know those penny crusher/stamper machines that you always find on vacation?  The ones that your kids beg you to do and then you're stuck with a flat penny and don't know what to do with it?  Well here is a great keepsake idea- put it on a necklace!





 I used the Crop a dile to punch a hole in the penny.




Prepare  junk  &  charms  to  hang  on necklace


Once I gathered all of my items, I had to prepare them a bit by giving the junky items a coat of clear acrylic sealer.  This protects the item, keeps it from continuing to rust and protects the clothing of the necklace wearer.




Some of the items had holes to hang on a necklace.  But if they did not, I added split rings for the items to be able to hang on a necklace chain.  




To make a scrabble tile able to hang, I glued it to a jewelry bail.


add a jewelry bail to a scrabble tile


With the bail, the scrabble tile will lay flat on a necklace.


how to hang a scrabble tile on a necklace with a jewelry bail

How  to  put  together  Junk  Necklace


Gather items into piles that would look good together on a necklace chain



I really like mixing metals and using unique items.  I'm not even sure what some of these metal pieces were originally used for, but all of the uniqueness looks great as a part of a junk necklace!







You could use any type of necklace chain to hang the charms from.  I like the industrial look of ball chain.







how to make a junk necklace using charms, beads, junk findings



how to make a junk necklace using charms, beads, junk findings



how to use mixed metals and repurposed junk to make a necklace



how to use mixed metals and repurposed junk to make a necklace



DIY ideas to make a necklace with leftover jewelry and junk


DIY ideas to make a necklace with leftover jewelry and junk


I can't wait to wear one of my junk necklaces!


how to make a junk necklace


linking up to:  Creatively Crafty


Don't Go Yet

It is another month of the Inspire My Creativity Link Party!




This month's theme is 

Something to Wear!!  

Check out all of the projects from these ladies:

Shani  |  Sunshine & Munchkins
Ali  |  Home Crafts by Ali
Cathy  |  A Boy and His Mom
Christine  |  Swordfights & Starry Nights
Meg  |  The Kusi Life
Lauren  |  A Life of Love and Joy
Jaclyn  |  The Dotted Nest
Victoria  |  Dazzle While Frazzled
Sydney  |  Tastefully Frugal
Lindsay  |  See Lindsay
Julia  |  The Quiet Grove
Marie  |  The Inspiration Vault



Link up, up to 3 of your projects!








Join us next month  on June 13 for kids activities/crafts!