Category: Attire + Accessories

This wire necklace is an easy way to create a unique piece in very little time.  Honestly, the whole necklace from start to finish took me 5 minutes at most.

Materials:

• 2 – 3mm jump rings
• 6.5 inches of 24 gauge wire
• 1 – 16″ metal chain
• 1 ring clasp
• 1 – 6mm jump ring
• Wire cutter
• Round nose pliers
• Flat nose pliers

Estimated cost: $10 

Directions:

1. To start this project, you’ll need to print off or freehand the word ‘Love.’  Make sure to choose a font where the letters are connected (Lucida Handwriting is a good one in Word).  You’ll be using the printout as a guide for the shaping the wire.

2.Starting 3/4 of an inch from one end, begin shaping the L with the round nose pliers.  Start at the top and work your way down (see pictures below).

3. Continue to shape the wire until the word is completed.

4. At the end of the first and last letter, create a small circle for the jump rings.

5. Attach the jump rings to both circles, thread chain through on each side, and attach a clasp and jump ring to finish the piece off.

This necklace could be used as a gift for bridesmaids, flower girls or any other special gal in your bridal party, and can be easily customized into other words or even names!

If you feel like your wedding shoes could do with a little bit of sumpn’ sumpn’ don’t be afraid to grab a hold of some scissors and get creative. Making your own shoe embellishments is actually super fast, easy and cheap. You don’t even need fancy bits and pieces or tools.

Plus, if you make your own shoe pins, you can match them exactly to your wedding color scheme, the color of your husband’s eyes or use them as sneaky way to incorporate your “something blue” into the wedding. And since they’re completely versatile and movable, your DIY shoe pins can even tie the bridesmaids’ shoes together if your gals have chosen different styles. Here’s how to make the magic happen:

Materials:

• Chiffon or tulle material
• Needle
• Thread (in color that matches the material))
• Material scissors
• Hairpins
• Shoes

Directions:

Step 1: Cut two pieces of material

Cut two pieces of material. Each one should be a bit wider and approximately seven times longer than the hairpins.

Step 2: Fold material

Fold the material in a zigzag pattern.

Step 3: Slide into pin

Pinch the material in the center and slide it into a hairpin. Make sure it’s even on both sides and on both pins.

Step 4: Slide pins onto shoes

Slide the pins onto the center part of your shoes and make sure that they are balanced.

TIP: If you worry about cutting and sewing around your wedding shoes (particularly if they’re white), you can always use a different pair to do the crafting and then move the pins to your wedding shoes once they’re done.

Step 5: Trim

Pinch the material to the center and trim it by half an inch. Repeat so that both pins look the same.

Step 6: Pinch and sew

Pinch the material up and sew the material from one side of the pin to the other until the shape is even and looks nice. Repeat with the second pin.

Step 7: Trim

Use the material scissors to trim both flowers on the pins to shape. Once you’re finished you can take them off and put them back on as you like.

Your bridesmaids are pretty special people – after all you chose them for a reason. Plus there’s a good chance they’re going to help to dress you on your big day, so you want to make sure they’re feeling appreciated.

Finding fitting bridesmaids’ gifts isn’t always easy. You’re probably working to a budget, would like the gift to be memorable (yet also practical so that they get good use out of it), and — of course — you want your favorite ladies to love it.

Worry not, we have the perfect answer: a personalized necklace. It’s easy, inexpensive, has a personal touch that’ll pull on their heart strings and — conveniently — you can see how to make it happen right here. Bingo!

Materials:

• Chandelier crystals
• Paper
• Pen
• Mod Podge dimensional magic
• Burlap twine
• Washi tape

Directions:

Step 1: Place the crystal over the paper

Play around with your paper by sliding the crystal over it until you find an area that looks interesting. Then trace around it to mark it.

Step 2: Personalize

Using your pen write the name of your bridesmaid (or bridesmaids), a memorable quote or a special message on your paper tracing. Make a few extras so you have some options.

Step 3: Cut out the pieces

Cut out the pieces you’ve prepared and take another look at how they look by placing the chandelier crystal over the top. Select your favorite for each bridesmaid.

Step 4: Mod Podge

Cover the pack of the chandelier crystal with Mod Podge Dimensional Magic, however keep it light around the area where the writing is or it will smudge. Mod Podge Dimensional Magic is water soluble, so keep a moistened paper towel around and wipe any areas that the Mod Podge leaks onto but isn’t wanted.

Step 5: Place the paper

Gently place the paper onto the back of the chandelier crystal and smooth it down with a paper towel, while being careful not to moisten the area that has the writing. Pat the excess Mod Podge away with a paper towel.

Step 6: Stick washi tape to the back

Once the back has dried (give it a good six hours for best results), stick strips of washi tape over the back and trim them to the size of the crystal.

Step 7: Make a second washi tape layer

Repeat the process in step 6 by sticking down a second layer of washi tape over the back of the crystal and trimming it to size.

Step 8: Cover the back in Mod Podge

Now coat the back of the pendant in Mod Podge Dimensional Magic, again being more sparing in the area where the writing is to avoid smudging. Leave it to dry for at least six hours.

Step 9: Cut the twine

Measure out the length you would like the necklace to be and cut the twine to size. I used 32-inch pieces for my necklaces.

Step 10: Thread the twine

Thread the twine through the top of the chandelier crystal and secure in place.

Step 11: Repeat

Repeat the steps until you have personalized necklaces for all of your bridesmaids.