{a teeny tiny tutorial} 

Since having our son it seems like every minute of everyday is allocated to something.  Gone are lazy weekends, long brunches...and well, free time in general!  Before my little moose was born I loved to make my own clothes, experiment with paint, or research new jewelry making techniques just for the heck of it. Once I even made my own beads...(remember that disastrous gold glitter fumble on the old blog??? What a nerd...) I had nothing but time, and I didn't even realize it!  Well, I wouldn't trade a single second of my new highly scheduled life as a mom.  I really wouldn't...I love my little monster so much it hurts!  

But sometimes I just want to make some shi....stuff! 

(I don't know what you thought I was about to say but mommies don't use potty words...it says so in the rulebook they gave me the day we left the hospital, potty head.)

A couple of weekends back, the husband was away and I decided it was time to make a little something.  Let the scheming begin! 

My idea of a fun DIY is the following:

a.) The fewer tools the better...bonus points for none at all

b.) It's cheap. 

c.) I can knock it out in a day or in a couple of small blocks of time...I don't have time for some major commitment.  Besides, something really time consuming starts to sound like work to me...

d.) and I have someone to do it with me.  (Projects are always more fun when you share them with friends. pssst...that's you!)

I decided to do a simple necklace using wooden beads and my most beloved crafting material in the whole wide world: GOLD LEAF!!  I nearly gold leafed the entire house that weekend...I just LOVE this stuff!

  {I used super generic materials from our local craft store and neighborhood hardware store. Use what you have or what you can find.  It doesn't have to be exact!}

Supplies

Pre-Finished Chain (I like the pre-finished chain because it allows you to eliminate the need for tools)

Wooden beads in various shapes (preferably the ones with large holes)

Hex Nuts

Suede Cording

Primer

Metallic Paint

Gold Leafing Sheets

Sealer

And Now on with the show!

Prime and paint the beads.  Spray painting is frowned upon in NYC apartments.  And by "frowned upon" I mean not allowed, but if I had a back yard I would have spray painted those little suckers in a heartbeat.  It's way faster.  If you are painting by hand with craft paint like I did, use a chopstick or the end of a paintbrush to hold the beads while you paint them.  

I made a drying rack with my brushes and chopsticks after I finished painting.  Make sure they are good and dry before moving on to the next step.

After they are completely dry, follow the package instructions for gold leafing your beads.  Take your time...I got a little impatient towards the end and a few of my beads looked a little crunchy.  You want to try to keep the gold leaf as flat as possible.  

After the gold leaf has fully set, apply a nice even layer of sealer and allow the beads to dry fully before touching them again.  

String the beads, alternating with the hex nuts, onto a chain or suede cord in a pattern of your choice.  

et voila!

Gold Leaf & Hardware necklaces for your wearing pleasure!

These necklaces are so easy to make and even more fun to wear.  I kept the details simple, but I thought of a million different versions while I worked on them.  I'd love to see your own version, so please send me photos!

xo...

ki

ps...Just in case you were wondering how I managed to entertain a toddler while I made these...he decided to make his own masterpiece. 

I'm still finding his work all over the house!