DIY metal washers jewelry

HOUSTON -- A simple box of inexpensive metal washers from the hardware store can be turned into fabulous jewelry with a few quick and easy steps.

Lifestyle Expert Kristen Hilyard shows us how!

PAINTED WASHER EARRINGS

Supplies:

6 Washers

6 Jump Rings

2 Earring Hooks

Nail Polish

Directions:

Grab six washers (three washers per earring).

Lay them out and paint them with nail polish. Any colors you choose.

Let them dry for at least an hour, longer if you can. They must be completely dry!

Paint the backs and the jump rings as well, if you want.

Open up a jump ring, attach it to your earring hook, keep it open and attach one of your painted washers to it. Then close it tightly.

Now pick up another jump ring, open it up, and grab another one of your painted washers and attach it to the jump ring.

Attach that jump ring to the washer you just attached to the earring hook.

Attach the last painted washer with a jump ring to the last one you assembled (the same way).

Repeat this process for the other earring.

WASHER FLOWER NECKLACE

Supplies:

5 small washers

1 large washer

Jewelry wire (thin)

Nail Polish

Necklace chain

Directions:

Paint all of your small washers one color.

Paint the larger washer another color (no need to paint the backs).

Let them dry at least an hour or overnight, if you can.

Cut about 12-inches of thin craft wire.

Grab your large washer and one small washer.

Take the large washer and lay the smaller one on top of the larger one, slightly to the side but overlapping.

Wrap your wire through the center of the washers securing them together (like the center of a flower and one petal).

Keep layering and wrapping the other four small washers onto the larger center one, like the petals of a flower.

Once you've finished creating your flower, 'tie' off the wire in the back by wrapping it around and around a wire on the back.

Add your chain to the necklace.

LINKS AND CHAINS NECKLACE

Supplies:

1 large washer

8 medium washers

8 small washers

Jump Rings

Jewelry Pliers

Necklace Clasp (optional)

Directions:

Start with your large washer. Open up your jump ring and attach it to the washer, then close it.

Grab the smallest washer, open another jump ring, attach it to the smaller washer and link the small washer to the jump ring on the large washer you just assembled.

Do the same thing with a medium washer and keep repeating the pattern until you get four small and four medium washers on the largest washer.

The pattern will be: Jump ring, jump ring, small washer; jump ring, jump ring, medium washer; jump ring, jump ring, small washer.

Then repeat the exact same thing on the other side of the largest washer.

When you're finished attach the chain (any length you choose) with jump rings to create your finished necklace.

More information about Kristen Hilyard visit kristenjoy.com.