Ready to make a necklace? Follow this easy tutorial to design a custom pendant and create meaningful jewelry that is totally your style.
If you've ever wanted to dip your toes into jewelry making, starting with a simple pendant is a great way to begin.
In this tutorial, I'll show you how to make a necklace that feels personal and unique without being complicated.
It's an excellent project for beginners, as you only need a few basic tools and materials, and the end result is a piece of handmade jewelry that you'll actually want to wear (or gift).
Whether you're looking for a creative afternoon project or a handmade way to make a special memory, this is one DIY that's both fun and meaningful.
Skill Level: Beginner
Working Time: 10 minutes
Instructions
I like to use pattern paper, but the possibilities are endless!
Postcards, pictures, fabric, and stamped images can all be used to create beautiful pendants.
To start, I laid out the glass pieces over my scraps of paper to find what I wanted to show through the glass.
There's no need to trim the paper yet. We'll do that in a moment.
Apply a large dollop of Diamond Glaze to the flat side of the glass cabochons.
There should be more than enough so the glaze oozes out the side when applied to the paper.
Press the glass cabochons, flat side down, onto the pattern paper.
Wipe away any excess that squeezes out with a cotton swab.
After the glue is dry, cut it out along the glass edges using scissors.
Apply one adhesive dot to the center of the metal pendant tray, remove the backing, and then insert the glass piece.
Press the cabochon into the tray for just a second. The adhesive dot holds the glass piece in place very well.
Here are my 5 pendants. They are each so cute!
To each pendant, I added a few other jewelry charms. To make your own charms, check out this tutorial on How to Loop a Headpin.
I absolutely love the finished pendant necklaces that I created.
I kept the pink one for myself and gave the other four away as gifts to some friends.
Since they were a gift, I needed a fun little jewelry card to put them in.
In another post, I shared a tutorial on How to Make a Necklace Card. Now you can make everything, including the packaging! Check it out.
More Jewelry Ideas
Don't put the jewelry-making supplies away yet! Here are a few more fun ideas.
Hi, I'm Katie!
I'm so glad you're here. Want to make something fabulous? I'm here to help!
Sweet
You are talented. I am a DIY jewellery maker. They are amazing. Many thanks for sharing this. I am really excited and interested to know how you make necklace card. Can't wait.
Sweet,
Erlene
These are awesome. My teen has been wearing a lot of necklaces lately and it'll be nice for her to make her own.
The DIY Homegirl
Very cool idea! I love accessories that can be personalized. Thanks for sharing---this is getting pinned!
Amy | The Happy Scraps
I seriously love mine, and wear it all the time! Thank you for such a sweet gift. 🙂
Laurie
These are really really nice and would make wonderful gifts too! Thank you so much for sharing with us the Brag About It link party!!
~Laurie
Kimberly
Hello beautiful! They look so amazing. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you on Monday at 7pm because we love to party with you! Happy Memorial Day! Lou Lou Girls
Laura
I love these necklaces Katie! Thank you so much for my roommate gift. My necklace is so pretty!
Jennifer Dawn
These are charming! What a great jewelry DIY project!
Dena rekow
these are super awesome, Katie!! Thanks for sharing!
AliyaP
These necklaces were really awesome. Thanks
DazzleWhileFrazzled
Super stylish! I'll have to look into getting a set. Great gifts!
Sarah
Seriously love these - I'm guessing you could use fabric too - I love the charms you added, particularly the pink one!
Katie
Sarah - I love the idea of using fabric! That is super smart. I am totally going to have to give that a try!
Pamela Smith
I really like these! I think I will make one for my mom for Mother's Day. Just add some charms that have meaning for her and done! Thanks!
Katie
They really are that easy! Thanks Pam!
Ntina
These pendants look amazing! I would love to try and make some!
Kim
Your necklaces are beautiful! My daughter and I will enjoy making these together. Thanks for sharing! #HomeMattersParty
silviajoyce
Marvellous. Thanks for sharing it with us
Katie
You are so welcome Silvia, I am so glad that you like it.
Suzy
I'm glad to see that pendant necklaces have become popular again....and some are very long...hanging almost to the waist!...very pretty!
Katie
I have seen the super long ones too! Thanks for stopping by Suzy!
sue
Such beautiful designs I'm not sure which is my favourite. Thanks for sharing with us at Over the Moon link up.
Katie
Thank you Sue! I am so glad that you like them. They were a lot fo fun to make.
Natalie Wagner
These are SUPER CUTE!!! You did a GREAT JOB! May I ask where you got your beads, charms, & small link chains to hang charms off of please?
Katie
Thanks, Natalie! I am so glad that you like the necklace! The charms I purchased at Hobby Lobby, a local craft store.
Meli
Where did you get the little charms to accent the pendant?
Katie
I got them at Hobby Lobby. I am glad you like them!
Ashley Cambell
Thanks for this informative article on DIY jewelry necklaces. It is very much appreciated by me. I am a blogger too. I am following you for 1 year. and your every article and contents are really awesome. keep it up…
Necklaces pendants
Definitely, handmade pendant necklaces make excellent gifts since they are easy to make and wear. The kit appears to be really useful, and the sheets are gorgeous. Using a scrapbook is also a good idea. I really like how it turned out. Thank you for providing this information