Handmade Jewelry Projects (+ How To!)

As an emerging sweet lolita, I am realizing that jewelry is quite important in sweet style coords. Rings, necklaces, earrings, brooches, and hair clips make the main piece pop and bring out all the more cuteness. I was torn, though, as jewelry (even second hand) can be quite expensive).

I was cleaning out my craft cabinet the other day and found a set of very cute plastic charms. I ordered them off of Amazon a few years ago when I was interested in decora, but I soon realized the style wasn't for me. As I looked through the charms, I thought that some of these would be perfect to make accessories out of!

My first project idea was to make rings. They turned out wonderfully and I'm so pleased. I also really enjoyed making them! Here's how I did it.

What you will need:

• Cute plastic charms. I got mine on Amazon (search "slime charms" or similar) but you can look at your local craft store or make your own with polymer/air dry clay! I might recommend glazing them if you do make your own.
• Ring blanks. I purchased mine from Bead Landing at Michael's (American craft store). They were $4.99 USD for four rings in gold and silver. There was a cheaper option but the quality did not appear as good.
• Bead glue. I used Beadalon BeadFix Gel from Michael's. Super glue or hot glue will not work in my experience.

Assembling is very easy once you have the materials! Read and follow the instructions on your bead glue. My glue instructed me to apply it on one surface and hold it both items together until it sets. It also instructed me to protect surfaces, so be careful with your clothes and work areas.

I additionally purchased alligator clips to make some clothing/hair clips! I modeled some after some of my new pieces and some for just general cuteness/motifs that I enjoy :) To make the gluing process easier, I clipped the alligator clips to the plastic card that came with the ring blank packaging. That way, I didn't accidentally glue the clip shut and there was less of a chance of me getting it on my hands.

My second project was bead bracelets inspired by my dresses! I have done this once before with my To Alice Ice and Snow Doll JSK but now I've gotten more skilled in sizing the bracelets correctly. I used a bead kit that I purchased from Amazon (again, it was meant to be used to kandi/decora accessories but I found the style wasn't for me). I used text beads to "write" the name of the dress or motif and decorated it with matching colored beads. Why can't sweet lolita coords include kandi style bracelets? I don't see why not, I'm going to try it!

"Little Bunny" for AP's Little Bunny Strawberry OP, "Rosita Cherry" for Bodyline's Rosita Cherry Heart JSK, and "strawberry" for all my strawberry prints <3

My third ongoing project is a necklace. I got a resin advent calendar as a present for the holidays. Each day you could make a new resin ice cream! I found a lavender ice cream set and made that one, sticking an anchor hook in the top before it dried so I could hook it to a chain/string.

Give it a try! I hope you enjoy making your own jewelry too.

With love,

Poppy