Who is immune to the unstoppable style of Vera Wang!?! (I pretend we’re on first name basis and refer to her as “Vera”.)  Vera, thank you for your beautiful genius. I won’t be wearing it due to most of your designs costing more than all my furniture combined, but what we lack in funds we make up in imitated style.

Motto: appreciate and imitate!

I especially love these lovely necklaces of yours!

I also love Anthropolgie – don’t you? I find it full of creativity and inspiration. I especially love this pearled bead necklace there.  But, since my family may not like that I sold our furniture for a necklace (although, I’m sure it might be worth eating on the floor while looking so good.) Anyway, I guess being the frugal girl that I am,  I  thought up how to update a pearl necklace I already own! Here is another example of this necklace style at Banana Republic.

I can’t call this post “How to Update Your Pearls” because that is just plain silly. Pearls are timeless. Plus for this tutorial/hack you can use any old beaded necklace.  So, instead, we are going to call this:

How to instantly give your pearl (or bead) necklace another look.

1. Chose one or more necklaces to make into this style. DO NOT WORRY! THIS IS NOT PERMANENT! You can easily dismantle this “new” necklace if you want to wear your “old” necklaces separately or sans ribbon.

2. Choose a ribbon color. Black, burnt orange, chocolate, taupe, grey and ecru are popular. Make sure you have double the amount you think you need for the appropriate necklace length, plus a healthy extra portion for a stylish floppy bow in the back. I started out with 4 feet.

3. There are two different techniques to do this. See which one works for your necklace! First is to have two “jump rings” of desired color (silver, etc.) which you can get in your local jewelry supplier or craft store. Note: if your necklace is made of precious metals,  match the metal quality in the jump rings. If  you are using real pearls, Do NOT USE THE JUMP RING because you may scratch them.  Use the second technique by just using the soft ribbon to tie directly around the necklace.

4. Fold necklace or necklaces in half. If the necklace has a latch, place the latch at one of the folds.

5. Attach jump rings to necklace(s) if desired. The greater number the necklaces being joined, the easier it is to have a jump ring.  Place the folded and connected necklaces face down. The side you would like showing while you wear it should be face down.

6. Cut your 4 feet of  ribbon into 2  two feet long pieces.

7. Fold each ribbon in half – thus, the math geniuses reading this have figured out that you have 2 one foot long folded ribbons.

8. Create a loop knot around the jump ring (or fold) in the pearl necklace by placing the folded section of the ribbon under the jump ring toward the beads. Then pull the ends of the ribbon OVER the jump ring and through the folded ribbon loop. Tighten.  Make sure the folded  loop lies flat. There should be two ends hanging evenly and free. Repeat for other side.

9. Measure on yourself for length desired and bow size in back desired. Cut to length.

10. Optional: Use Fray Check on the ends of the ribbon to stop fraying.

11. Wear necklace with jeans or to the annual holiday party this year!

Post-publication Update: I just found another fabulous eclectic wedding necklace on Style Me Pretty! Check it out here!

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