Summer is about hot weather and even hotter trends. Layered or Neck-Mess Necklaces are a must-have for summer because they are easy to pair with your casual to dressy outfit. We’ve got a fun DIY for you using many different components like Limited Edition gemstones mixes, seed beads, necklace chain and instant pendants; all layered together.

We love the different gemstone shapes in the Blue Skies gemstone mix, where we used the heishi and round beads in this mix for our layered necklace.

Items used in necklace:

• Z001033 – 32 Inch Rhodium Plated Cable Chain Necklace
• X003062 – 5.5mm Jump Ring
• Y005033 – 6mm Closed Ring
• FTBW0001 – Fine SoftFlex Wire
• X009683 – Limited Edition Clear Blue Skies Candy Jade Mix from Dakota Stones
• SB00106 – 8/0 Galvanized Silver Seed Beads
• A004830 – 2mm Silver Plated Crimp Tubes
• Z010379/Z010376 – Wire Guardians
• CH01180 (1 foot)- 11.6mm Silver Finish Steel Thin Paperclip Cable Chain

Instant Pendant:
– Z016436 – Silver Instant Pendant with Cone
Get the components and pattern tutorial for the instant pendant in the Peyote Tube with Beadalon Instant Pendants blog post.

Directions:

1. Cut paperclip chain in half to make two 6 inch pieces.
2. Cut a 20″ piece of soft flex wire.
3. String on the following:
   1. Seed bead, crimp tube and seed bead.
   2. 5 round gemstones and seed bead. Repeat 6 more times.
   3. Crimp tube and seed bead.
4. Loop one end of flex wire through a Wire Guardian, making sure to loop the wire guardian through a link of a 6″ paperclip chain. Slide flex wire through seed bead and crimp tube. And crimp the tube with crimping pliers. Cut end to leave about a 1/2 inch tail. Slide beads over to repeat and crimp on other end and other chain link.
5. Open a jump ring and slide on other end of paperclip chain and link it to the ends of the chain necklace. This is where all the layers will link on.
6. Cut a 30″ piece of soft flex wire.
7. String on the following bead sections:
   1. Seed bead, crimp tube and seed bead
   2. Two small heishi and seed bead. Repeat and string on 24inches of this sequence.
   3. crimp tube and seed bead.
8. Feed one end of the flex wire through the Wire Guardian, making sure to loop the wire guardian through the end link of the chain necklace. (Same place you attached the paperclip chain in step 5) Slide flex wire through seed bead and crimp tube and make a crimp. Cut end to leave a 1/2 inch tail. Slide all the beads over to hide the tail end and repeat crimping on this this end.

9. Unclasp both of the clasp on the chain necklace. Open jump ring, slide on ring where all the layers are linked at and a closed ring. Do on both sides and add clasp back on.

10. Make peyote tube add to instant pendant. You can find pattern tutorial from the Peyote Tube with Beadalon Instant Pendants with components. Gently open the loop of the instant pendant just big enough to slide chain necklace on. And gently close it.

–Click HERE for more DIY projects from Goodybeads–

Paperclip jewelry is a hot looking trend for all fashionistas. It presents a very modern and bold look as it rolls away from the minimalistic and dainty trend. Its elongated chain link shape mimics the average paper clip office supplies.

Paperclip History

However, did you know that the paperclip is a ‘non-violent symbol of resistance, unity, and national pride’ during World War II. You can read more on its symbolic history HERE as well as some fun facts about paperclip. Because while you are getting into this trend, it’s one that has been a part of history.

Paperclip Jewelry on the Runway

My first initial look at the paper clip jewelry trend is from the HOT runway look of Stella McCartney’s collection in March 2019. The earrings were a cascade of colorful paperclips draped over the model’s shoulder. It was a vibrant look towards spring/summer jewelry with its multicolor paper clips and shoulder duster length.

Since then, it has evolved into the creation of elongated chains to mimic the paperclip shape. Its shape create length and bolder statement pieces.

Paperclip Chain Selection

Check our selection of paperclip chain in multiple size, thickness and finish:

• 5.9×1.75mm Mini Paperclip Cable Chain
  Silver Plated, Antique Silver Plated, Gold Plated, Satin Hamilton Gold Plated, Gunmetal Plated & Antique Brass
• 8.4mm Small Paperclip Cable Chain
  Silver Plated, Rhodium Plated, Antique Silver, Gold Plated, Matte Gold, Antique Brass & Matte Gunmetal
• 11.6mm Thin Paperclip Cable
  Silver Finish, Matte Silver, Gold Finish, Matte Gold, Brass Oxide & Matte Black
• 11.9mm Paperclip Cable Chain
  Gold Plated, Matte Gold, Antique Brass & Matte Gunmetal
• 13.3mm Textured Paperclip Cable Chain
  Silver Finish Steel, Nickel Finish Steel, Gold Finish Steel & Matte Gold Finish Steel
• 15.7mm Paperclip Cable Chain
  Imitation Rhodium, Gold Finish, Antique Gold Finish & Gunmetal Finish
• 26.5mm Jumbo Paperclip Cable
  Imitation Rhodium & Gold Finish

Here are some of our DIY selections using paper clip chain.

DIY Earrings

Use a link of the paper clip chain to make connecter pieces or long chain length for earrings! The great thing about the LARGE CHUNKY paper clip chain we offer is that each link isn’t a closed, soldered ring. So can use two flat nose pliers to open the links like a jump ring, which is great because you wouldn’t be wasting a link if you had to cut them if they were soldered closed.

DIY Bracelets

Paper clip chain is very versatile and gender neutral. It’s chunky enough to be a hardy bracelet for men and a beautiful piece for some arm candy love!

DIY Necklaces

We’ve seen a lot of necklace designs with paper clip chain, especially pairing it a carabiner clasp or hanging a statement pendant or charm. Whether your choosing, it will make bold statement necklace or lariat!

Tell us what you think about the Paper Clip Chain trend!