https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/skeleton-hands-necklace-with-roses • Posted by ErsatzEpiphany
i bought lots of these little plastic skeleton hands after halloween and have been looking at different things to do with them. I saw a few different versions of the 2 hands made into a necklace, and decided to put my own spin on it. with the glitter, rhinestones, and roses, it makes me think of dia de los muertos or carnival. i am going to make another color soon, since this was my first try. i will be sure to take photos and upload them to go along with my steps. and as always, if you have any questions, please feel free to message me! if you would like some skeleton hands like the ones i used for this necklace (they make great hair clips, too!) i have some for sale in my etsy shop for $3 a pair (discounts for buying multiple pairs!)
i bought lots of these little plastic skeleton hands after halloween and have been looking at different things to do with them. I saw a few different versions of the 2 hands made into a necklace, and decided to put my own spin on it. with the glitter, rhinestones, and roses, it makes me think of dia de los muertos or carnival. i am going to make another color soon, since this was my first try. i will be sure to take photos and upload them to go along with my steps. and as always, if you have any questions, please feel free to message me! if you would like some skeleton hands like the ones i used for this necklace (they make great hair clips, too!) i have some for sale in my etsy shop for $3 a pair (discounts for buying multiple pairs!)
first, decide what color you'd like to make your hands. i chose red, and used 2 thin coats of acrylic paint and let them dry.
next, take a large safety pin and heat the sharp end with a lighter. (be sure to hold the safety pin with your pliers while doing this, or you'll burn your fingers!) while the pin is still hot, poke a hole straight through the back of each palm, and at the tip of each middle finger. this was a little tricky - i don't know if it was just because this was my first time, or if i need a bigger pin. i'll let you know after i make my next one!
take a small piece of jewelry wire, and wrap it through the hole you made at the end of each hand. secure the end by wrapping it around a small loop of wire. (this is where your jump ring will go to attach the hand to the chain)
put a thin coat of glue (i use tacky glue) and then sprinkle fine glitter in whatever color you choose over the top. allow it to dry, brush off excess. spray with two coats of clear spray on sealer, allow to dry again. (be sure to use the sealer outside if you have the kind in the aerosol can, the fumes are pretty harsh.)
while the glitter and sealer are drying, you can work on your chain. take a length of plastic chain (i buy mine from a great seller on etsy - message me for her shop, she has a great selection and prices!) in whatever length you'd like it. at the very center, cut a length using your pliers. open a jump ring for each side. after you place them on, then take each part of the lobster clasp and attach a piece to each end, so you'll have an easy way to get your necklace off and on.
when the hands are very well dried, carefully open and place a jump ring through the tip of each middle finger. then, take a third ring and place it between the two fingers. close the jump rings, this will hold the front of the necklace together.
remember the wire loops you made earlier? now's the time to use a jump ring on each side to connect the hands to the chain part of the necklace.
now you should have all the parts connected, and its time to add more bling. i used a toothpick to put small dots of tacky glue on the hands, and then added tiny 3mm rhinestones. i allowed those to dry over night.
plug in your glue gun. take 3 small ribbon roses, (mine are from the bridal section at a party store - super cheap and they're good for lots of projects!) and use a small dab of hot glue on the back to secure the flower and make sure it won't unravel. my roses had a small piece of wire already attached as the stem. i simply trimmed some of the wire off and wrapped one around the jump ring in the middle, and one on each side. i secured the wire with another little dab of hot glue to make sure they wouldn't fall off. viola! i can't wait to make more color combinations and try different decorating techniques.