There is a good chance that somewhere in the back of a drawer or buried in a forgotten box, there is a set of colored pencils that has not seen the light of day in years.
Today that changes. Those neglected little sticks of color are about to become something genuinely wearable, and the result is equal parts nostalgic and unexpectedly stylish.
Materials and Tools
Materials
- Colored pencils (a rainbow sequence of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple works
beautifully, though any combination is fair game) - Transparent elastic nylon wire
Tools
- Saw
- Drill
- Pencil sharpener
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Choose the Pencils
Dig out whatever colored pencils are available and select the ones with the most appealing colors. A full spectrum arrangement reads as playful and eye catching, but a more curated two or three color palette can look equally striking. There are no wrong answers here.
Step 2: Cut the Pencils to Length
Determine how long each pencil should be and mark every single one before picking up the saw. Skipping the measuring step and planning to even things out with the sharpener later is technically possible, but it adds unnecessary work down the line. Taking two extra minutes to mark everything beforehand is well worth it.
Step 3: Drill the Holes
Using the drill, make a hole through each pencil at a consistent distance from the top. Keeping the placement uniform across all pencils ensures they hang evenly once strung together. If any of the pencils have printed text or branding on them, position the hole on that side so the writing faces inward and stays hidden when the necklace is assembled.
Step 4: Sharpen and Shape
Once the holes are drilled, sharpen each pencil to the desired length. For a more dynamic look, consider graduating the lengths slightly so the pencils in the center of the necklace are the longest, tapering down toward the outer edges. Just bear in mind that leaving a little extra length makes the sharpening process more forgiving.
Step 5: String the Necklace
Thread the pencils onto the elastic wire in the chosen color order. Transparent nylon wire is a good choice here because it disappears visually and lets the pencils take center stage. The elastic construction also means the necklace can be slipped on and off without a clasp, which is a practical bonus. Tie off the ends securely and the necklace is complete.
The finished piece is the kind of accessory that prompts double takes and sparks conversation. Colorful, clever and made entirely from something that might otherwise have sat forgotten in a cabinet indefinitely. Sometimes the best materials are the ones already on hand.