Halloween: Spooky Necklace

We wanted a subtle Halloween necklace that we could make together.

This activity was featured on The Crafty Crow’s “15 More Cute than Creepy Crawly Halloween Crafts for Kids” collection!  Check them out for fun activities to do at home and at school.

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2014/10/15-more-cute-than-creepy-creepy-crawly-halloween-crafts-for-kids.html

Materials

• A variety of black beads
• A variety of gold beads
• Plastic bug(s) or other plastic spooky items
• Tack/ small finishing nail/hammer OR needle, pliers, BBQ lighter (both options to done by an adult)
• Safety googles
• Crimping pliers
• Wire cutters
• Crimping beads
• Seed or small beads
• Bead cord
• Bead design board (optional, this allows you to lay out your beads in order)
• Tape measure
• Clasp (*We used a toggle as this particular necklace is for an adult for a gift, but you might want a magnetic clasp that could easily detach for a child for safety*)

Directions

• While wearing safety googles,  have an adult make two holes in the plastic bug(s) you want to use, using a tack or small finishing nail and a small hammer.  One near the top, one near the bottom.  This will prepare it/them for lacing later.  We used a method where we heated a needle (holding it with pliers) with a BBQ lighter, pushing it through the bug.  If you go with this method, may we suggest the adult doing it when the child(ren) are in bed so they don’t get any ideas!

• Measure around your neck with a tape measure to find the desired length for your necklace.  Add a bit extra to account for attaching the clasps etc.

• Cut your beading cord to your desired length using wire cutters or scissors, depending on the type.

• Lace through one end of your toggle, a seed bead and then a crimp bead (a tube-like bead you can purchase at craft stores).

• Take the end and loop it back as shown through the beads.  Pull them taut to the end.

• Using your crimping pliers, crimp your bead in the grooves of the pliers as seen. (Almost making a “C” type shape).  Then turn the bead slightly and push the two sides of the crimped bead together in the other groove of your crimping pliers.

• Cut off the excess beading cord on the one side, leaving it long enough to tuck through the beads when you lace them to hide it.

• Lace your beads and bugs.  Put the lace through the top of the bug first (so you can see the bug, rather than the underside.)

• Lace the other end of your toggle onto the other side, following the same method that you used for the first half (with the crimping bead, seed bead & crimping tool.)

• Don your necklace to dress up an outfit for a bit of Halloween fun.

Purpose

• Developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Safety Notes

• Have an adult make the holes in the plastic items you want to make into beads.
• Beads can be a choking hazard.  Be sure to keep them out of reach from children 0-3 or those that tend to put things in their mouths.
• A necklace can be a strangulation hazard.  Wear it with adult supervision and remove it for play (e.g., on the playground)