marbleized washer necklace

Did you know that the hardware store is one of the best places to shop for creative projects? And at about twenty-five cents, washers are one of my favorite materials grab when I am browsing the aisles of my local Home Depot. There are so many different ways to transform a washer into a pendent. I thought it would be fun to use nail polish marbling to create some colorful statement necklaces.

All you need are washers and nail polish.

Fill a small container with water and lightly pour the polish onto the surface of the water and then swirl it around. 

Next, dip the washer into the the water. It will pick the marbled nail polish and once dry will be permanent.

I used colorful beads and created a long strand necklace with the washer as the pendent or you could add the washer to your favorite chain or strand of beads.

upcycled holiday sparkle earrings

Before you throw out all that holiday decor, cards and wrapping paper, take a second look- perhaps there is a unique way to recycle or upcycle all that Christmas sparkle? I decided to turn all of my metallic wrapping and decoration into some sparkly earrings- just in time for New Years Eve!

Tinsel, while messy can be used to create sparkly paper.

Use card stock, thick paper or even recycle the inside of greeting cards (like I did).

Cover the surface with a thick layer of craft glue, gel medium or modge podge.

Trim the tinsel over the paper so that it sticks to the glue.

Let dry completely.

The result is a thick piece of sparkly paper that can be used to create all kinds simple jewelry.

Cut out simple shapes

Use dimensional paint to add little details.

Paint or decorate the back- optional

Cut out small shapes and using jump rings, stack the shapes for dramatic dangle earrings.

Use leftover metallic wrapping (or any pretty wrapping for that matter) to create rolled roses. (my tutorial is here)

Fill the middle with beads.

Glue to posts for a small and pretty set of earrings.

Use wrapping paper and roll into beads.

Use those paper beads and stack them on wire with alternating beads for a set of long dangle earrings.

And there you have it a brand new collection of sparkle earrings ready for a New Years Eve Party!