How to Make a Cork Necklace

Corks have a rustic, woody charm to them.

Ever since Luna Lovegood wore a butterbeer cork necklace in "Harry Potter," fans have been popularizing cork necklace crafts. Even if you're not a Harry Potter enthusiast, it's easy to see why these necklaces are catching on: Cork crafts are an environmentally friendly way to recycle, and you can make lovely, natural-looking accessories that cost only a few pennies each. Collect some used corks and make some new necklaces today to wear or to share with your friends.

Things You'll Need

• Corks
• Acrylic paint
• Paint markers
• Drill
• #80 drill bit
• Wire snippers
• 18-gauge wire
• Needlenose pliers
• Craft knife or razor
• Sewing needle
• Nylon beading elastic thread

Instructions

Cork Necklace Pendant

1. Decorate your cork, if desired. Paint it with acrylic paints or write on it with a paint marker. Let it dry before proceeding. Alternately, leave it plain if you prefer the rustic look

2. Drill a hole through the cork with a very small drill bit, such as a number 80. Drill straight into the top of the cork and out of the bottom.

3. Snip a 2 1/2 inch length of 18-gauge wire. Grasp one end of the wire with needlenose pliers and form a loop large enough for a chain to go through. Twist the wire to close the loop.

4. Push the end of the wire into the top of the cork as far down as it will go, so that the loop rests on the top of the cork. Thread a cord or chain through it and wear your cork necklace.

Cork Chain

1. Paint or decorate six to 10 corks, depending on how long you want the necklace to fall. Alternately, you could leave them natural. Drill holes through each cork, into the top and out the bottom.

2. Cut a 20 inch piece of 18-gauge wire. Twist a loop on one end of the wire.

3. Push the straight end of the wire through the holes in the cork, threading them onto the wire like beads, all the way up to the looped end. Hold your necklace up occasionally to see if you are happy with the length.

4. Make a hook on the opposite end of the wire and snip off the excess. To enclose the necklace around your neck, put the hooked end of wire through the loop end.

Cork Tile Beads

1. Cut your corks into rounds with a craft knife or razor, making the rounds approximately 1/2 inch thick each. Paint and decorate them, if desired.

2. Take one cork bead and drill a hole through the side -- not the top -- of the cork. Make sure the drill goes all the way through the other side of the cork bead. Drill another cork bead the same way. When you line up the drill holes, the beads will be lying flat, side by side, rather than end to end.

3. Thread a needle with thin nylon beading elastic. Make a knot at the end of the elastic. Thread the cork beads onto the elastic to make a chain long enough so that you can slip it on and off your head easily. The elastic will allow it to stretch so you can take it on and off more easily.

4. Tie the ends of the elastic together to permanently enclose the necklace and then snip off the excess.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't drink wine and are having a hard time finding corks, ask a local restaurant or bar manager if they'll save them for you over a weekend.

References

• Unplug Your Kids: Thankful -- Wine Cork Necklaces
• Recycle Chicken: Wine Crates Can Add Repurposed Flare to Your Kitchen