When I think about “Men’s jewelry”, bolo ties, belt buckles, cuff links, and tie clips come to mind (plus heavy gold-chain necklaces ala 1980’s Mr T). But what makes a piece of jewelry masculine? The key to making masculine jewelry is using masculine supplies and keeping it simple. Combine strong leather or waxed cotton cord with bone beads, metal beads, or glass trade beads and then add bold focal pendant. It is also a benefit if the jewelry has a utilitarian purpose.
Here is my version of “men’s jewelry” –an adjustable lanyard necklace made with guy supplies; it can be used to hold a decorative pendant or be more utilitarian as a key holder. Follow these steps to make your own:
Tools and Supplies
You will need the following supplies:
- 6 feet Cotton Cord (I used item #61-542-075-03)
- 1 each Jewelry Links and Connectors (I used item #44-940-97-6)
- 2 each Bone and Horn Beads (I used item #25-195-04-N)
- 1 each Swivel Clips (I used item #30-620-01-6)
- 1 each Locking Jump Ring (I used item #37-015-11-6)
You will need these tools:
- #69-275-31 Wubbers Medium, Flat-Nose Jewelry Making Pliers
- #69-275-03 Wubbers Chain-Nose Jewelry Making Pliers
- #69-043 Scissors, Extra-Large Loop
Make an Adjustable Lanyard Necklace Cord
Cut 1 foot from the cord length and set it aside. Reserve this cord for finishing the cross pendant.
String the swivel clip on the cotton cord and position it at the mid-way point of the cording. You should have two cording “strands” of equal length.
Tie a decorative knot above the swivel clip. Use one cording strand (active cord) to wrap a loop around the other cording strand (stationary cord).
With the active cord, wrap two more loops, working towards the swivel clip. You should now have three wrapped loops.
String the end of the active cord back through the three loops.
Gradually pull the active and stationary cord ends to tighten the loops into a knot.
Slide the knot and position it snugly against the swivel clip.
String a large-hole bead on both cord strands and position it next to the knot.
Tie a second knot and position it just above the bead (follow the same knot-tying steps as before).
String a second large-hole bead on both cord strands. This bead will serve as a necklace adjuster; just slide the bead towards the swivel clip to shorten the necklace.
Tie a third knot positioned approximately 16 inches from the second knot. This should result in an approximately 32-inch adjustable necklace.
Trim the cord, leaving two equal tails approximately 1-1/2 inches in length.
The finished end with sliding adjuster bead.
Make an Attachable Pendant
Twist open the locking jump ring.
Attach the jump ring to the top hanging hole on the cross link.
Twist the jump ring closed, being sure to align the interlocking prong and hole. Use chain-nose pliers to squeeze the connection and set the prong.
String the 12-inch piece of cotton cord through the bottom hole of the cross link. Position the cross at the mid-way point of the cord.
Tie a decorative knot (follow the same knot-tying steps as before).
Slide the knot snugly in place next to the cross. Finish by trimming the tails to approximately 1 inch in length.
Attach the pendant to the lanyard necklace clip.
“Tethered” Lanyard Necklace by Rings & Things designer Mollie Valente.
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Visit the Rings & Things Design Gallery for more masculine jewelry designs.
Make things,
Mollie
