Who's Styling Some Fantastic Dyed Paper Jewelry?

We've all gone to craft shows and seen stunning wearable art jewelry, haven't we? Maybe you've even thought of DIY'ing some elegant neckwear yourself? Well, here's your chance. As you know Rit will dye paper and Barbara Warholic decided to a bit of experimenting to find that paper jewelry cording dyes up like a dream!  She made  this colorful necklace reminiscent of beachy sea coral as a sleek accent for the summer wardrobe.  We just love it!

Barbara is a designer and author of Sewing Pottery By Machine, published by Martingale. She loves incorporating Rit dye into her work.  Visit her blog  Soft Pottery and her Dye-licious Pinterest board.

And here's the how-to for you to make one too...

SUPPLIES:

• Rit Liquid Dye:  Golden Yellow, Cherry Red, Sunshine Orange, Apple Green
• 1 Pkg. Bella Corda Premium Paper Jewelry Cord by Darice   (15 yards)
• 1 Pkg. Wood Beads, 5mm, Light Brown by Traditions
• 1 Tube Multi-Colored Stone Beads by Darice
• 2 Jewelry Crimp Ends
• 2 Jewelry Jump Rings
• Jewelry Toggle Closure
• Clear Acrylic Spray Sealant
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Small Container for Dyeing
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Latex Goves
• Paper Towels
• Plastic Table Cover

INSTRUCTIONS:

Dyeing Paper Jewelry Cord & Beads

1.  Cover work surface with plastic table cover.

2.  Cut 4 lengths of paper jewelry cord, each measuring 10 feet.

3.  Wearing rubber gloves, measure 1 tablespoon Golden Yellow dye into the small dyeing, add 1 cup very hot water (140˚F).  Stir well.

4.  Quickly immerse one length of paper jewelry cord into the dye solution.  Leave it in the dye just long enough to achieve the desired color. 

5.  Remove from dye.  Rinse in cool water.  Carefully dry with a paper towel.  Set aside.

6.  Dye about 20 wood beads in the Golden Yellow dye solution.  Remove, then set on a paper towel.

7. Using the remaining three colors of dye, repeat Steps 3 – 6 for the other 3 lengths of paper jewelry cord and beads.  

8.  After cording and beads are completely dry, spray with a clear acrylic sealant.

Making the Necklace Strands

1.  Take 1 strand of dyed paper jewelry cord and measure 5” from the end.  Tie a knot.

2.  Measure 21” from the first knot and tie another knot.

3.  Measure 5” past the second knot and cut off the paper jewelry cord.

4.  Repeat Steps 1-3 for the remaining three strands of paper jewelry cord, except make the center length 1” longer than the previous strand (for example, the 2^nd  strand should measure 22” in the middle, the 3rd one 23” and the 4^th one 24”).

5.  Cut the remainder of each dyed strand of paper jewelry cord into 3½” lengths.

6.  String a wood bead or a stone bead onto a 3½” length of cord.  Tie the 3½” length onto the necklace strand.

7.  Repeat step 6 until the 3½” lengths of each color are used up.  Space the ties about 1” apart.

Assembling the Necklace

1.  Lay the 4 necklace strands out on a flat surface.

2.  Match up the 4 knots at one end and tie the strands together at the knots.

3.  Repeat this at the other end.

4.  Trim off the strand ends so they’re equal in length.

5.  Using the needle nose pliers, attach a jewelry crimp end to each end of the necklace.  Trim off any excess paper strands.

6.  Attach a jump ring to each crimp end.

7.  Attach the toggle closure to the jump rings.