DIY Steampunk Jewelry with Old Keys and Paper Beads

: Add charms to a necklace

: Add paper beads to a chain

: Make a key pendant

: Make key earrings

Greetings neighbors! This DIY project is perfect for fall weather. This will be a 2 or 3 part series on Mass Appeal. The next segment will be using old watches! As usual, I bought enough findings for all of us so contact me if you need anything. I’m happy to share my stash of jewelry findings with you free of charge (Mass Appeal Massachusetts residents).

Here’s what you will need for this craft:

SUPPLIES

Keys (Watch this video on how to age metal with salt, hydrogen peroxide and vinegar!)

Book pages (download images below if you don’t have any)

Chains from necklaces

Random beads

White school glue

Toothpicks

Craft wire

Spring rings

Jewelry findings

Brown powder eyeshadow (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1

Cut the strips of paper the width you want your beads to be. The longer the length of the paper the thicker your beads will become.

Step 2

Fold the edge of the paper and start rolling the paper tightly around the toothpick. Then lightly paint the inside of the strip with white glue and continue rolling it to the edge. Then paint the outside of the bead with more glue. For an antique look you can mix brown powdered eyeshadow with the glue. For a glitter effect you can mix in glitter or mica powder with the glue. Then place the bead on an egg carton and let it dry overnight.

Step 3

Take about 8 to 10 in of craft wire and make a loop with some needle nose pliers. Twist the wire about three or four times. Don’t twist it too tight as it will break.

Add a bead at the end and then add the paper bead.

Twist the top just like you did the bottom.

Coil the wire around from the top to the bottom and wrap the ends tightly around the bottom coil.

Step 4
Now you can attach a spring ring onto the bottom where you can attach a charm or an antique looking key. Place a spring ring on the top and attached to a chain or to an earring finding.

NECKLACE

The easiest way to make a necklace is to find a large link chain and attach paper bead charms, old pendants or other items. It doesn’t matter what the metal is because Steampunk style is meant to look grungy. You can also use glass cabochons and use the method I showed you in the last episode to make a large pendant. Glue the images on the back of the glass cabochon and add a glue on bail.

Here are some newspapers you can print out to make the beads.

: Antique Newspaper Print 1

: Antique Newspaper Print 2

: Antique Newspaper Print 3

: Antique Newspaper Print 4

: Scanned Antique Newspaper 5

: Scanned Antique Newspaper 6

Here are some images you can cut out for pendants.

Email me at: [email protected]

I can easily make you a kit for very little money or just send you a few findings. Thanks to all of you who sold me your unwanted jewelry. THIS is where all the broken items go. Click here for more info on selling your jewelry! I always need more so give me a call if you want to sell yours. I buy gold, silver and costume jewelry of all kinds. Email or call me if you need anything. The studio number is: 413-512-3714. You can text to that # also.

Thanks for watching and I will see you in 2 weeks!

Happy Autumn New Englanders!

Malena Chipps

LINKS

DIY BASIC PAPER BEADS VIDEO FROM PLAID CRAFTS