Make a Chain and Button Bib Necklace

Chain & Button Necklace

Jose & Maria Barrera make amazing bib necklaces with chains that can be found at upscale department stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. When we took down a broken fan and examined the brass chain that was used as an on/off switch, my daughter and I looked at each other and we both knew the brass chain was way to lovely to be thrown out and abandoned in a landfill. No, even though the fan no longer met electrical codes,  the chain of the fan was destined to be upcycled, recycled and repurposed as a new bib necklace.

We cut the brass chain off the fan, polished the chain and arranged the chain so that it has three drapes in the front.

Chain with Beads Made from Brass Rivets

At first we formed four brass rivets with a doming block so that each was concave. We soldered two of the domed brass rivets together to make a hollow, formed bead. We then repeated the procedure to create a matching pair.

"S" Hook

We next constructed brass links to fasten the two brass beads to the chain. We also constructed an "S" hook for the clasp.

We liked the clasp. The brass beads we constructed from rivets were nice, but not stunning. We wanted something that created more of a statement and had more pop and zing.

Links Attaching Button

So we went to our box of assorted buttons and searched until we found two interesting, but not matching brass toned buttons to use as decorative links. We removed the beads we fabricated from brass rivets and used the links we made to attach the two brass toned buttons. The result (pictured above) is a lot more distinctive.

Below we listed some of our tutorials that explain in detail how to do each of these steps and some recommended further books on making jewelry with found objects.

GeltDesigns.com Tutorials of Interest for Making the Chain & Button Bib Necklace

• "S" Clasps
  
• How to Make a Simple "S" Clasp (with or without Beads)
• Make Your Own "S" Clasp
• Make Your Own Beaded "S" Clasp
  Hook & Eye Clasps
  
• Make Your Own Hook & Eye Clasp
• Make Your Own Clover Shaped Hook & Eye Clasp
• Links
• Make Your Own "S" Chain
• Forming 
•  How to Dome Metal

Recommended Books & DVDs
Fabulous Jewelry from Found Objects: Creative Projects, Simple Techniques (Lark Jewelry Books)
Junk to Jewelry: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Found Objects in Jewelry You Can Actually WearJewelry and Accessories from Everyday Objects: 19 Unique Projects Inspired by Found Objects and Ready-Made Materials
Junk Jewelry: 25 Extraordinary Designs to Create from Ordinary Objects
Semiprecious Salvage: Creating Found Art Jewelry
Beaded Jewelry with Found Objects: Incorporate Anything from Buttons to Shells
Jewelry from Found Objects
Jewelry Upcycled!: Techniques and Projects for Reusing Metal, Plastic, Glass, Fiber, and Found Objects
The New Jewelry: Contemporary Materials & Techniques (Arts and Crafts (Lark Books))
Jewellery from Recycled Materials (Jewellery Handbooks)
Making Connections: A Handbook of Cold Joins for Jewelers and Mixed-Media Artists
Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams: Mixed Media Projects in Epoxy Clay
The Fine Art of the Tin Can: Techniques & Inspirations
Cold Connections

Tools
25 Piece Doming Block and Punch Set
Beadsmith 9 Piece Ergonomic Tool Kit Pliers / Jewelry
Concave And Round Nose 3-Step Wire Looping Pliers New
Wire Looping Pliers 3 Round Jaws and 1 Concave Jaw

Day 1. Week 1. Jewelry from Found Objects.  $ spent: 0
New Jewelry a Day. Join the adventure.