DIY Pearl & Safety Pin Necklace

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:

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)

Leave a Comment

123 Comments

  1. 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

    4.23.13
    Reply
  2. This is amazing! I love it 😀

    4.23.13
    Reply
  3. 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

    4.23.13
    Reply
  4. Reptilia wrote:

    This looks really cool!!

    http://www.justreptilia.com

    xx

    4.23.13
    Reply
  5. Denisa wrote:

    That looks so nice and original. Have a great day.

    http://www.fashiondenis.com/

    4.23.13
    Reply
  6. Amazing DIY necklace!!

    xxx
    Naomi
    http://www.bonnieclydemarni.com

    4.23.13
    Reply
  7. this DIY is very simple and so original!!! I love this classic necklace wore like this!!

    http://www.thestelstyle.com

    4.23.13
    Reply
  8. EmerJa wrote:

    Easy and with an amazing result! 🙂

    http://www.emerjadesign.com

    4.23.13
    Reply
  9. WoooW!
    I love it!
    The last pic is amazing!
    🙂
    http://9lla.it/
    Fashion & DIYs

    4.23.13
    Reply
  10. Mun wrote:

    Brilliant and so easy to make!

    4.23.13
    Reply
  11. brooke wrote:

    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

    4.23.13
    Reply
  12. Nomadic D. wrote:

    This is AWESOME. I would never wear a strand of pearls alone either, but this totally rocks. Brilliant.

    http://www.nomadicd.com

    4.23.13
    Reply
  13. Terra wrote:

    awesome! I love this idea and it turned out great!

    xx
    http://www.roaringmytwenties.com

    4.23.13
    Reply
  14. Meg wrote:

    Love your take on the modern pearl necklace. Very edgy.

    http://happinessiscreating.com/

    4.23.13
    Reply
  15. 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!

    4.23.13
    Reply
  16. Frances wrote:

    SO FABULOUS! REALLYY ORGINAAAL <3

    4.23.13
    Reply
  17. Bee wrote:

    Classy but still funky 🙂 ME GUSTA!

    http://lettersandbeads.blogspot.de/

    4.23.13
    Reply
  18. Rachelle wrote:

    That is so cool and easy to do.

    xo
    http://pinksole.com

    4.23.13
    Reply
  19. Paula wrote:

    LOVE THIS! I am so going to do this!

    ♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.
    http://shoe-fiend.blogspot.co.uk/

    4.23.13
    Reply
  20. I´m doing this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :O gorgeous! xo, Alma
    http://www.soulofashopper.com

    4.23.13
    Reply
  21. Ambyr wrote:

    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

    4.23.13
    Reply
  22. LOVE!

    4.23.13
    Reply
  23. 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!

    4.23.13
    Reply
  24. Paty wrote:

    I loved it!!!!!
    I’m posting looks from L.A and accessories:

    http://www.thegavlaks.com

    4.23.13
    Reply
  25. Michele wrote:

    This is beyond interesting. I find pearls classic and elegant, too! Thanks for all the great creativeness.

    4.23.13
    Reply
  26. Renee wrote:

    Pretty Little Things!!!
    xxo

    4.23.13
    Reply
  27. Viveca wrote:

    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/

    4.23.13
    Reply
  28. june wrote:

    this is a great bracelet idea as well. lovely.

    4.23.13
    Reply
  29. Kellz wrote:

    I Love this DYI. SO cool and easy.

    4.23.13
    Reply
  30. 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!

    4.23.13
    Reply
  31. 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/

    4.23.13
    Reply
  32. Laura wrote:

    Great idea !
    http://www.thestilettoholic.com/
    Love from Paris

    4.23.13
    Reply
  33. Lauren wrote:

    Looks just like the designer one, cool way to give a pearl necklace some edge!
    Lauren
    livinginaboxx

    4.23.13
    Reply
  34. Christy wrote:

    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!

    4.23.13
    Reply
  35. Amazing look.

    Kiss from Brazil. I’m Manual Fashion

    http://www.manualfashion.com

    4.23.13
    Reply
  36. Britte wrote:

    Bonjour et Merci pour ce “Partage” génial ! Vrai, jusque maintenant, prenait “la poussière” ! !
    Vi

    4.23.13
    Reply
  37. the perfect mix of refined edginess…….might have to try this I’ve been wanting a new necklace 😉

    4.23.13
    Reply
  38. wow this is so amazing! and so unique! I love it

    4.23.13
    Reply
  39. Davina wrote:

    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!

    4.23.13
    Reply
  40. Domonique wrote:

    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

    4.24.13
    Reply
  41. A wrote:

    I love this ! so cool xoxo

    4.24.13
    Reply
  42. Juicy wrote:

    Pearls + Safety Pin= Rock ‘n Roll Super chic style!
    Love it!
    Giu&Si

    4.24.13
    Reply
  43. Namrata wrote:

    For once it actually looks uber simple and do-able! Love all your DIY posts. The inspire me!

    Namrata
    http://seasoncheck.blogspot.in

    4.24.13
    Reply
  44. Mary wrote:

    So interesting and unique! Very cool statement piece.

    Mary
    http://marymarysgarden.wordpress.com

    4.24.13
    Reply
  45. I really like your necklace! It looks special. Love the safety pins!! 🙂

    4.24.13
    Reply
  46. Fair Lady wrote:

    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.

    4.24.13
    Reply
  47. Mandie wrote:

    I LOVE this. The perfect punk heiress statement.

    4.24.13
    Reply
  48. Shelley wrote:

    This is so creative! It really updates the string of pearls!
    https://www.etsy.com/shop/EarthChildArt?ref=si_shop

    4.24.13
    Reply
  49. Nella wrote:

    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!

    4.25.13
    Reply
  50. Such a unique DIY! So cool!
    xoxo
    Juliette Laura
    juliettelaura.blogspot.com

    4.25.13
    Reply
  51. Fey wrote:

    Lovely and so creative! Beautiful pics:)

    4.25.13
    Reply
  52. RoChelle wrote:

    So very easy! I like this look, too! The DIY version is the winner!

    4.25.13
    Reply
  53. Pearl wrote:

    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.

    4.25.13
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      @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!

      4.27.13
  54. nuray wrote:

    so easy and beautiful, thank you for this lovely necklace

    4.26.13
    Reply
  55. Suzan wrote:

    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!

    4.28.13
    Reply
  56. This is so cool!!!
    I have to try this one.

    4.30.13
    Reply
  57. India Rows wrote:

    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!!

    5.6.13
    Reply
  58. stephanie wrote:

    beautiful!

    Please check out my blog its recently started and I would be totally grateful if someone checked it out 🙂

    5.12.13
    Reply
  59. federica wrote:

    Bello!!!
    candiedfruits.wordpress.com

    5.19.13
    Reply
  60. Elise wrote:

    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. ^-^

    6.11.13
    Reply
  61. SABREEN wrote:

    i love this

    6.14.13
    Reply
  62. Melissa wrote:

    Thank you very much!

    6.15.13
    Reply
  63. Nancy wrote:

    Lovely and so Beautiful !!

    7.25.13
    Reply
  64. girlspot wrote:

    this is our answer from your comment->
    Hi Honestly!
    We just translated English to Korean, we didn’t post this is our work. We scraped it from TrendHunter.
    If you want we noticed this post from, we will find where it from and write on it.

    We will find where this post from now. We linked your blog&your post ‘girlspot’ blog.
    Thank you for notice and sorry to bother you.
    Have nice day.

    8.9.13
    Reply
  65. Felecia Bowman wrote:

    I am going to try this with a cheap faux pearl bracelet!

    9.19.13
    Reply
  66. Love this!

    my web page: Costume jewellery

    12.21.13
    Reply
  67. Cate wrote:

    I love this necklace to bit and I will definitely try it

    1.3.14
    Reply
  68. Es wrote:

    Love your D.I.Y gallery!
    This necklace is amazing.

    2.9.14
    Reply
  69. Ashley wrote:

    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…

    6.5.14
    Reply
  70. 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

    7.4.14
    Reply
  71. Alejandra wrote:

    I LOVE IT!

    7.8.14
    Reply
  72. Alejandra wrote:

    It’s amazing

    7.8.14
    Reply
  73. Doreen wrote:

    I really love the mix of hard and soft!! definitely try it! thank you

    9.25.14
    Reply
  74. Love how this is a changeable design- just pearls (classic) or pearls and safety pins (edgy)! 🙂

    10.20.14
    Reply
  75. Cocoaout wrote:

    Could you advise what size / diameter pearls are used and the length of the necklace? Thanks!

    10.23.14
    Reply
  76. Zen wrote:

    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/

    8.22.15
    Reply
  77. GemsnCoins wrote:

    Decent neckless. I loved it.
    http://www.gemsncoins.com/

    Thanks

    9.22.15
    Reply
  78. Gems wrote:

    Wow! wonderful neckless

    9.21.17
    Reply
  79. Steven wrote:

    What child thought of that design, pearls & pins, yuck.

    2.6.21
    Reply