DIY Spike and Skull Necklace

Helloo!

I have been seeing a lot of the spike style necklaces in high street stores lately and it got my DIY ideas flowing! I've put together a really nice and simple (or so i hope :S) DIY tutorial on how you can create your very own spiked necklace! Two DIY's in a row, i must be mad!

This is the necklace i'm going to show you how to make! It took me around half an hour and wasn't rocket science so i'm sure this tutorial will be nice and easy!

MATERIALS

The bits and bobs you will need to create this necklace are:

- Howlite skull beads in any colour or size you like! (I ordered mine from Ebay HERE)

- Some gold/silver seed beads, available from any craft shop (Be sure they are big enough for the elastic)

- Pin spikes (I got mine from a TOPSHOP hair bobble that i spotted in the sale but you can get them from Ebay HERE. They come in super funky colours)

- Some jewellery elastic, extra strong is best. (get this from a craft shop)

- Necklace fastenings (You can buy them from craft shops but i just chopped them off of an old necklace... whoops!)

- You'll also need scissors and possibly a needle and pliers 

First, cut your elastic to however long you want it. I find it easiest to pull out a long piece and hold it around my neck until i get it to the right length drop. The length i used was around 30cm (add a little extra for tying off) 

Next, lay out or spikes and skull beads for the centre piece. You could do yours in the same pattern as mine or make up your own (don't make it too heavy or the elastic will drape too much).

Now take only the clip part of the necklace fastening and tie the end of the elastic through the small chain which should be at the end of the clip. (you don't have to tie a bead in with it like i did, it makes no difference). I personally tied about 10 single knots over and over again to make sure it was secure! But don't pull too tight or you'll break it. You can leave as much of a tail end as you like, i always leave a centimetre or two.

Take your gold and silver seed beads and thread them onto the elastic. You can do as much of this as you like but remember the same has done be done one the other side once you have put the centre piece in! I did 10cm of beading on either side. Try and place the beads on randomly so it doesn't have too much of a patterned effect.

Picking up from where you stopped with the gold and silver seed beads start placing on your centre piece design. (don't worry if its not sitting quite right, it will when it's hanging around your neck!)

Using the seed beads again, do the same length and style along the other side. Try and do it as evenly as possible to that the spikes and skulls will hang in the centre of the necklace.

Now finally, take the chain part of your necklace fastening and tie the elastic through the end chain. Try to get the knot as close to the last bead on the elastic as possible (its alright if you stretch the elastic out a little bit when you are tying the knots. It will loosen up when worn.) Again, i tied the knot several times just to be sure it was secure!

TIPS:

- You can use a chain if it's thin enough to fit through the beads.

- If you don't want the elastic stretch effect buy extra strong thread and use that.

And thats it! Really simple and makes a lovely necklace! Doesn't look too 'homemade' either eh?!

I hope you all like this enough to try it! If you need any help don't hesitate to ask! And i welcome your feedback! :)

over and outttt! X

Thanks to everyone who has followed me and commented on my posts so far! x