Chandelier Crystal and Vintage Wallpaper Pendant Tutorial

I love making jewelry from unexpected materials, and, if you haven't noticed by now, I'm a little obsessed with vintage wallpaper.  This project combines vintage wallpaper and chandelier crystals which makes it right up my alley!

You are going to need chandelier crystals that are somewhat flat on one side.  Most of them are.  You are also going to need some vintage wallpaper, although pretty scrapbook paper or wrapping paper would also work for this project.  Other alternatives include laser jet copies of pretty postcard images, trade card images, or other pendant-worthy images you would like to use.

 

Materials and Tools Needed:

Chandelier crystals

Pinch bails

Chains with ready-made clasps or pieces of ribbon

Mod Podge 

Small paintbrush

Scissors

Pencil

Sandpaper and emery board

Directions:

Using the pencil, trace around the crystal onto the wallpaper over the area you want to use for your pendant.  Cut it out with the scissors:

Apply Mod Podge directly over the front of the paper.  

With your fingers, press the paper to smooth it out, removing excess glue and air bubbles.  Let dry.

Once dry, use sandpaper and/or emery board to obtain a clean edge around the crystal.  Coat the back of the paper with Mod Podge and let dry.

Insert the pinch bail through the hole in the crystal and add your chain and clasp.  Here are what pinch bails look like (below).  I order mine on Etsy.  You will need to measure the length between the hole in your crystal to the edge of the crystal to find the size of pinch bail you need.  Most crystals will require a long pinch bail:

I've made a variety of sizes and shapes:

If you have more advanced jewelry-making skills, you can add some fancy components to your chain:

You could also string your pendant on a pretty ribbon instead of a chain if you want a more feminine look:

 

 

You'll want to make a lot of these.  Some for you, some for gifts!

 

I am participating in the following link parties this week, so stop by if you can:  Fancy This Friday; Strut Your Stuff Saturday; Sweet Sharing Monday; Monday Funday; Treasure Box Tuesday; Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop; and Project Pin It

Comments

[Stacy O'Dell]

I LOVE this jewelry!! Thank-you for sharing the tutorial on how you make them. Would you be willing to share where you find your gorgeous crystal pendants? Thank you kindly, Stacy

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Stacy,

Thanks so much! I have purchased most of my crystals at antique auctions, but I'm sure you can purchase some on Etsy. Just do a "search" for "chandelier crystals."

Mitzi

[Danielle @ Blessed Serendipity]

These are beautiful Mitzi. I absolutely LOVE these!

xo Danielle

[jeanie]

A fun tutorial -- thanks, Mitzi. I tried to find your booth at Lansing Mega Mall -- I'm sure I went by it, but I have no idea which was yours. Hope the tablecloth I bought came from there!

[Katherine]

beautiful, thank you for the tutorial. I invite you to share at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop ( every Thursday or you can link up today until midnight) Hugs!

[Renee V.]

This is so awesome, thanks for sharing the process :)

[Cindy Eikenberg]

These are gorgeous! Visiting from Treasure Box Tuesday and thank you for sharing such a beautiful project!

[Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions]

Very pretty, Mitzi! I think I have a couple of crystals I could do this with. I just need the other components. They would make great gifts, although I just might make them for myself!

[Shandell]

What a gorgeous idea!!

[Katherine]

Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. Watch for your feature on Monday Hugs!

[LORI SMITH]

very nice work. it is 3:00 am, i just found your site. and i LOVE IT.

[suz]

I lived in Lansing for so long prior to Ludington and now AZ (loving missing the winters) anywhoo, wasn't that called the old School house or something like that? I sure do miss the fun stuff there in Lansing, but not the winters. Best of luck on your ventures! You ROCK GIRLFRIEND!! Suz

[Becky]

pretty! You might want to add in your tutorial ... when you attach the wallpaper...and to which side of the prism. I understood what you meant to say, but a person that English is not their native language might not understand you left this important step out...grin!

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Becky,

Thanks for pointing that out. I will go back and try to clarify.....

Mitzi