How to Make Jewelry from Guitar Strings

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Things You'll Need

  • Guitar string

  • Measuring tape

  • Wire cutters

  • Rubbing alcohol

  • Cotton balls

  • Beads

  • Charms

  • 2 crimp beads

  • Hook clasp

  • Eye clasp

  • Needlenose pliers

Hours of rocking out on the guitar wears strings out. Strings break or become too rusted for play. Repurpose old metal strings into fashionable jewelry. Add your favorite beads or charms to a guitar string to make a necklace or bracelet. Making guitar string jewelry is similar to making any type of wire jewelry. Attaching the clasps is the hardest part for the novice jewelry maker. Visit your local craft or bead store to purchase the crimp beads and hook and eye clasps needed to complete your musical accessory.

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Step 1

Choose a guitar string from the first four thickest strings: E, A, D or G. Strings B and (high) E are too sharp for necklaces or bracelets.

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Step 2

Shape guitar string around neck or wrist to determine length of necklace or bracelet. Necklaces are generally 16 inches and longer and bracelets are generally 7 to 8 inches long.

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Step 3

Hold measurement in place and add 6 inches to total guitar string length. Extra length is needed to attach the hook and eye clasps.

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Step 4

Cut guitar string at measured point with wire cutters.

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Step 5

Clean length of guitar string with rubbing alcohol and cotton balls.

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Step 6

Feed beads or charms through guitar string.

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Step 7

Attach "hook" clasp to one end of necklace using a crimp bead.

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Step 8

Thread 3 inches of guitar string through crimp bead and the small circle of the hook clasp.

Step 9

Thread guitar string back through crimp bead to form a 1/6-inch loop.

Step 10

Flatten crimp bead into place with needlenose pliers. Turn guitar string over to flatten crimp bead on opposite sides.

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Step 11

Check that crimp bead is secure and does not slide on the guitar string.

Step 12

Cut excess looped guitar string with wire cutters.

Step 13

Attach the "eye" clasp to the other end of the guitar string using a crimp bead.

Step 14

Thread 3 inches of guitar string through crimp bead and the small circle of the eye clasp.

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Step 15

Thread guitar string back through crimp bead to form a 1/6-inch loop.

Step 16

Flatten crimp bead into place with needlenose pliers. Turn guitar string over to flatten crimp bead on both sides.

Step 17

Check that crimp bead is secure and does not slide on the guitar string.

Step 18

Cut excess looped guitar string with wire cutters.

Step 19

Feed hook clasp through eye clasp to secure necklace or bracelet.

Warning

Nylon guitar strings will not work. Use only metal strings.

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