We don’t have to tell you that we’re fans of everything gold, but that doesn’t mean we won’t introduce you to our newest DIY jewelry hack that’s as easy as painting your nails and takes about the same amount of time. Base coat, gold leaf, top coat — done!
We rounded up all the supplies you need to put this together in our Gold Leaf Necklace Kit, which includes a whole booklet of gold leaf for you to continue the fun looong after this necklace is done.
Materials:
– wood beads
– gold leaf
– Mod Podge
– foam brush
– jewelry chain
– jump rings
– lobster clasp
– 2-in-1 jewelry pliers/cutter
(or get everything HERE in our kit!)
Additional Supplies (not included in kit):
– paper plate
– wood skewer or toothpick
Instructions:
1. Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto your wood beads using your foam brush.
2. Place your glue-covered beads onto a sheet of gold leaf and roll up to cover each side of the beads.
3. Roll your beads in between your hands one at a time. Some foil will flake off, giving them a speckled finish.
4. Clear out any extra glue or leaf from the holes of your beads using a skewer or toothpick.
5. Brush on another thin layer of Mod Podge with your foam brush to seal in the gold leaf.
6. Place your finished beads onto a paper plate to dry, rotating every 5-10 minutes so they don’t stick.
7. Once your beads are fully dry, string them onto your jewelry chain. Then cut your chain to your desired length using your plier/cutter.
8. Open up a jump ring with your pliers, string onto one end of your jewelry chain and close back up.
9. Repeat on the other end of your chain, this time adding a lobster clasp before closing the jump ring.
Grab a kit (including everything shown here) and let’s get started!
Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto your wood beads. Don’t be afraid to get gluey here.
Placed your glue-covered beads onto the edge of one sheet of gold leaf.
Carefully roll up the gold leaf to cover each side of your glued beads.
Gently roll your beads in between your hands, one at a time. Some foil will flake off for a speckled finish, giving you golden mermaid hands! Not to worry though — it will wash off afterward ;)
Clear out any extra gold leaf from the holes of your beads using a skewer or toothpick. Then brush on another thin layer of mod podge to seal in the gold leaf and place onto a paper plate to dry, rotating the beads every 5-10 minutes so they don’t stick to the plate on one side.
Once the Mod-Podged beads have dried clear, string them onto your jewelry chain and cut your chain to your desired length using your pliers/cutter.
Open up a jump ring with your pliers, string onto one end of your jewelry chain and close back up. Attach another jump ring to the opposite end of your chain, but this time add a lobster clasp before closing.
Seriously, that’s it! Get the kids involved for a handmade gift that Mom will actually want to wear. And don’t forget, our kit comes with a whole booklet of gold foil for you to run wild with after you’ve finished this necklace!
If minimalist clusters of three are more your style, omit two of your beads from the necklace and leave the chain long for a lower pendant.
Brit + Co Kit Designer Lee (oh hey, that’s me!) has already decided this is her go-to holiday party accessory for SURE.
Pop this lightweight necklace over a shift dress and you’re good to go. Low-maintenance style FTW!
Now that you’ve got a whole booklet of gold leaf at your disposal, what other objects will you cover using this technique? Tell us in the comments below.
