No one will ever know that this cost under $10 to make. I made this necklace a few months ago and have worn it out a ton. Every time I get a compliment and I tell the person it’s a DIY, they always ask, “Really – how?!” in disbelief. (That’s the best feeling in the world, btw.) So get thee to the washi tape store and make yourself one (or a few) of these completely custom, completely affordable bib necklaces.

Supplies

x-acto knife

ruler

flexible plexiglass (mine is .06 inches thick)

washi tape

scissors

really strong hole puncher – I used the Crop-a-Dile.

Mod Podge

paint brush

jewelry making pliers

7mm jump rings

necklace chain & clasp

Directions

Much like in my acrylic flag necklace, you begin by scoring your plexiglass with an x-acto knife. Cut along your ruler an inch from the edge of the plexiglass sheet, bend along the scoring, and snap the edge off, creating a clean, unsharp edge.

Make one 4 by 1 inch piece, two 3 by 1 inch pieces and two 2 by 1 inch pieces using this method. Then, mark a spot for two holes on an end of each piece of plexiglass. Punch your holes as marked using your punching tool.

Wrap each piece in washi tape. If it’s patterned, be careful to line up the pattern so it flows nicely across each necklace piece. I recommend cutting your washi tape with scissors (rather than tearing) to have clean ends as well.

Trim any washi tape hanging over the edges of your plexiglass with an x-acto knife, being careful of your work surface.

Mark where the holes are in each tape-covered necklace piece, and punch out the washi tape with your puncher. Paint a layer of Mod Podge over both sides of each pendant to seal. Let dry completely.

When all of your pieces are covered and dry, connect them with jump rings (new to jump rings? Check out this post).

Attach the whole bib segment to a necklace chain and add a clasp to finish your necklace! An added bonus to this necklace, beyond its amazing affordability and ease to make, is how lightweight it is. Have you ever noticed how bib and statement necklaces are crazy heavy sometimes?

I first posted this project at The Good Weekly, the blog for Goodsmiths.