As much as I honestly love jewelry of all types, the one thing you’ll most likely never find me wearing is a single strand of pearls. There is something about this classic piece that is just a bit too buttoned down for me. However add a bit of metal in the form of gold safety pins, à la Tom Binns, and I’m all over it! This necklace is so easy to make and is the perfect way to temporarily (or permanently) funk up those pearls that are starting to collect dust in your jewelry box.
You’ll need:
- a pearl necklace
- a handful of 1 1/8″ gold safety pins
- a handful of 1 1/2″ gold safety pins
Start in the center of the necklace and attach 1-2 safety pins between each pearl, working outwards. Connect the vertical safety pins with a horizontal one.
Continue adding safety pins between all the pearls. I added 2 each time, alternating between 2 larger pins, 2 smaller pins and one of each.
Go back and connect the rest of the vertical pins, grouping 4-5 at a time with a horizontal one.
Keep working – the more random the better!
And just like that, your Tom Binns-inspired necklace is finished!
(Acne Sunglasses, Sass & Bide Capelet; all images by HonestlyWTF)
Awesome DIY! Really does look like a Tom Binns necklace.
I’m like you, I would never wear just a plain strand of pearls, it’s a little old lady and a little boring.
BUT this necklace is awesome, Super simple and super fun! Will definitely be trying this out!
xo Quinn
Quinn Cooper Style
This is amazing! I love it 😀
I agree about the single strand of pearls being a bit too buttoned up and traditional…but this is nothing but! Love the edgy look you gave this necklace! ~ ashleigh
My jewelry blog: http://www.joliejouel.com
This looks really cool!!
http://www.justreptilia.com
xx
That looks so nice and original. Have a great day.
http://www.fashiondenis.com/
Amazing DIY necklace!!
xxx
Naomi
http://www.bonnieclydemarni.com
this DIY is very simple and so original!!! I love this classic necklace wore like this!!
http://www.thestelstyle.com
Easy and with an amazing result! 🙂
http://www.emerjadesign.com
WoooW!
I love it!
The last pic is amazing!
🙂
http://9lla.it/
Fashion & DIYs
Brilliant and so easy to make!
ooooh, i love this! i agree about a strand of pearls being too buttoned up for me. and this is such an easy DIY project. thanks for the inspiration!
http://www.insparisian.com
This is AWESOME. I would never wear a strand of pearls alone either, but this totally rocks. Brilliant.
http://www.nomadicd.com
awesome! I love this idea and it turned out great!
xx
http://www.roaringmytwenties.com
Love your take on the modern pearl necklace. Very edgy.
http://happinessiscreating.com/
I think that a pearl necklace can be worn successfully in the right outfit…but it can be hard to pull off. This is a great, easy DIY modernization though which is so cool. Thanks!
SO FABULOUS! REALLYY ORGINAAAL <3
Classy but still funky 🙂 ME GUSTA!
http://lettersandbeads.blogspot.de/
That is so cool and easy to do.
xo
http://pinksole.com
LOVE THIS! I am so going to do this!
♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.
http://shoe-fiend.blogspot.co.uk/
I´m doing this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :O gorgeous! xo, Alma
http://www.soulofashopper.com
This is so fun. I’ve only worn a single-strand pearl necklace once. It was classic and yeah, I needed more edge. I’m loving the edge and volume the safety pins give this necklace instantly.
xoxo
http://www.thewrittenrunway.com
LOVE!
WOW! I should have waited for this simpler version. I did a super elaborate version of the Tom Binns Passive
Attack here : http://f21torunway.blogspot.com/2013/02/diy-tom-binns-passive-attack-necklace.html
I didn’t even get to keep it! One of my models on my shoots wanted it so bad I gave it to her!
Time to make another one!
brilliant!
monkeyshines
http://monkeyshines-monkeyshines.blogspot.com/
I loved it!!!!!
I’m posting looks from L.A and accessories:
http://www.thegavlaks.com
This is beyond interesting. I find pearls classic and elegant, too! Thanks for all the great creativeness.
Pretty Little Things!!!
xxo
cool xx
http://www.vicariousLA.com
That’s so cool! I have a pearl necklace at home, which I’ve never used. But I might if I follow this DIY!
http://stainsofpaint.blogspot.com/
this is a great bracelet idea as well. lovely.
I Love this DYI. SO cool and easy.
The first time on this site and I am already blown away. This necklace is basically my style all wrapped up with a bow. Gold, pearls, and edge…yup!
I love this necklace !!!! I also DIY a pearl one in that style 😉 have a look on my article
http://ilovedoityourself.com/diy-collier-perles-et-chaines-pearl-and-chain-necklace/
Great idea !
http://www.thestilettoholic.com/
Love from Paris
Looks just like the designer one, cool way to give a pearl necklace some edge!
Lauren
livinginaboxx
I agree pearls can be too “button down,” too establishment and I adore funky clothes, but this design with the gold safety pins makes me think of bondage and S&M. I suppose it depends on what else you wear with it. Still, you have given me some great ideas for changing my look. Thanks for another great post!
Amazing look.
Kiss from Brazil. I’m Manual Fashion
http://www.manualfashion.com
Bonjour et Merci pour ce “Partage” génial ! Vrai, jusque maintenant, prenait “la poussière” ! !
Vi
the perfect mix of refined edginess…….might have to try this I’ve been wanting a new necklace 😉
wow this is so amazing! and so unique! I love it
I saw the Tom Binns necklace in a magazine and was going to DIY it too! Glad to have a pro show me before I tried it myself! ; ) Thanks for sharing!! No more gramma’s pearls!
I was a little unsure of this DIY, but after seeing it on you I have to say it looks awesome and very professional 🙂
x
I love this ! so cool xoxo
Pearls + Safety Pin= Rock ‘n Roll Super chic style!
Love it!
Giu&Si
For once it actually looks uber simple and do-able! Love all your DIY posts. The inspire me!
Namrata
http://seasoncheck.blogspot.in
So interesting and unique! Very cool statement piece.
Mary
http://marymarysgarden.wordpress.com
I really like your necklace! It looks special. Love the safety pins!! 🙂
You are definitely not from the South! This is the tackiest thing I have ever seen! As we say….I wouldn’t be caught dead in it! But, at least it isn’t a tattoo! Thank goodness.
I LOVE this. The perfect punk heiress statement.
This is so creative! It really updates the string of pearls!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EarthChildArt?ref=si_shop
THAT’S A GREAT DIY! LOOKS SO STYLISH!
http://whatkrissydidnext.wordpress.com/
http://whatkrissydidnext.wordpress.com/
Honestly…this looks so great 🙂 It’ a hole new necklace! I’ve done something similar with safety pins but I’ve put them on the trousers to make them look different, since some girls had the same 😀 And I don’t like that what I call it “military look”-every girl dressed the same!
Such a unique DIY! So cool!
xoxo
Juliette Laura
juliettelaura.blogspot.com
Lovely and so creative! Beautiful pics:)
So very easy! I like this look, too! The DIY version is the winner!
Maybe a stupid question but how do the pins stay put between each pearl? My just want to hang on the string. I was able to pin some through the string but there isn’t even slack to do this for each one.
@Pearl, make sure the opening of the safety pin, when closed, is not wider than the actual pearls themselves. They’ll want to drop but if you thread a few of the safety pins horizontally, along the top, it will keep the safety pins from dropping. Hope that helps!
so easy and beautiful, thank you for this lovely necklace
This DIY is cool! I used a little less pins, since i didn’t have that many and locked the big pins together with the smaller ones. Stil looks awesome though!
This is so cool!!!
I have to try this one.
It’s really awesome:)
http://www.ccchinachic.com/products/cell-phones-tablets/cell-phone-accessories/simple-design-candy-color-pc-front-and-back-case-cover-full-protection-for-iphone-5-3971.html
Okay, so I AM the type of person that wears a classic strand of pearls (what can I say, I am a total pearl lover!) however, this necklace is so adorable!! Love it!!
beautiful!
Please check out my blog its recently started and I would be totally grateful if someone checked it out 🙂
Bello!!!
candiedfruits.wordpress.com
I finally got around to making this and it turned out beautifully. I also used some gold safety pins to make a chain and closure in the back. ^-^
i love this
Thank you very much!
Lovely and so Beautiful !!
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I am going to try this with a cheap faux pearl bracelet!
Love this!
my web page: Costume jewellery
I love this necklace to bit and I will definitely try it
Love your D.I.Y gallery!
This necklace is amazing.
Unique necklace ever. Simple pearls with gold coated safety pins turned into a stunning necklace. But have to be careful while wearing:) Awesome thinking. I love it…
WOW! I love wearing pearls in such edgy way.
Check out my mix pearls and chains necklace tutorial here: http://lilasirena.blogspot.mx/2013/12/diy-mix-chain-pearl-necklace.html
XO,
Lila&Sirena
lilasirena.blogspot.com
I LOVE IT!
It’s amazing
I really love the mix of hard and soft!! definitely try it! thank you
Love how this is a changeable design- just pearls (classic) or pearls and safety pins (edgy)! 🙂
Could you advise what size / diameter pearls are used and the length of the necklace? Thanks!
I think designer inspired DIY tutorials are an amazing trend 🙂 SO much that I have a whole page of them 🙂 https://hapinesswherever.wordpress.com/2015/08/21/diy-designer-inspired-creations/
Decent neckless. I loved it.
http://www.gemsncoins.com/
Thanks
Wow! wonderful neckless
What child thought of that design, pearls & pins, yuck.