The only nails I had, were these rusty ones that would have looked awful. So, I used a dremel tool and a file to remove the rust off the head of the nail and the top ~1,5 cm of the shaft.

To get all the leather segments the same shape and size, it is best to draw up a paper template first, then trace that onto the leather for each segment. The shape is up to you, and the size of the segments I used was 5 cm wide (along the flat side) and 4,5 cm long (from the flat side to the pointed end). In total, of the regular segments (not the middle back and front segments of the necklace), should add up to 20 (10 per side)

I was uncertain how many segments I wanted to use, so I started with 8 (4 per side) and added them from there until I thought it looked okay.

Lay your leather segments out on the table the way you think they should look on the necklace, all overlapping and flowing well without the edges looking uneven. Keep in mind that throughout the process of putting this necklace together, you will need to test it on your shoulders many times, so that it will fit neatly when it is complete.

Always make sure that both sides, left and right, are SYMMETRICAL in shape. it will not fit nicely if the shape is lopsided.