DIY Grunge Jewelry

With the grunge look, anything goes.

For an easy-to-create grunge look, stick with leather, metal and chunky beads as your materials. Strange objects, mismatching items and jewels are perfect for this desired look. Musicians, like Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, made the grunge look popular in the '90s and many people still sport this look. With a little bit of creativity and flair you can easily make your own grunge jewelry.

Things You'll Need

• Leather cord
• Chain Link
• Beads
• Safety pins
• Earring hooks
• Jump rings
• Head pins
• Spring ring clasp
• Masking tape
• Scissors
• Wire cutters
• Pliers

Instructions

Bracelet

1. Cut three pieces of leather cord 2 feet each. Match the ends together and tie them in a knot. Place a piece of masking tape over the top of the knot and secure the knot to a table.

2. Separate the pieces as 1,2 and 3. Take piece 1 over 2 and then 3 over 1. Now place 2 over 3 and 1 over 2. Keep doing this until you have enough for a bracelet.

3. When you are done, tie the pieces in a knot to hold the braid. Tie the leather bracelet around your wrist. Add more layers or bands of different colors if you want. Add beads or charms to the braids for extra detail.

Necklace

1. Take a chain link necklace and drape it around your neck. Hold the last link you need to be on the necklace. Remove the other links with pliers.

2. Open a jump ring with pliers. Put a bead through the jump ring. Put the jump ring through a link on the chain and close it with pliers. Continue until you have enough beads on the necklace to suit your design. Linking jump rings together will give you a longer necklace and more room for beads

3. Put a jump ring on the last chain at one end. Open another jump ring, put it through a spring ring clasp, then through the opposite last link. Your necklace now connects. Make more than one necklace for a layered affect.

Earrings

1. Put the beads you want on your earrings or your paperclips on the headpin. After finishing, go about 1/2 inch above the last bead and bend the headpin to the right with your pliers. At 1/2 inch past the turn, cut the headpin with your wire cutters.

2. Turn the headpin back in toward the beads creating a loop. Open a jump ring. Put the loop of the headpin through the jump ring. Put the earring hook through the jump ring. Close the jump ring with the pliers. Repeat this for a second earring.

Tips & Warnings

• Worn metals looks grungy. Bandanas and hair beads will complement your grungy apparel.

• If earrings are too heavy they will hurt your ears.

References

• "Merriam Webster Dictionary": Grungy
• Kids World: '90s Fashion Trends
• "LapidaryJournal"; Headpins & How to Use Them: Kate Drew Wilkinson; December 1996