Bastrop Rock Necklace

This rock necklace was inspired during a hike I took at Bastrop State Park, Bastrop, Texas. 

You can read more about that trip here.

This rock is just a little bigger than a quarter, and I fell in love with the orange and red tone quarts. I knew I had to create a necklace from it.

TIP: One thing to keep in mind when you create pieces of jewelry from found objects, don’t go into the project trying to find the perfect rock, etc., for you to match up with materials you already have at home…

Wait for a rock to inspire you, then go from there.

Supplies and Tools:

Affiliate Links Included

• Jeweler’s Pliers – Do you need an inexpensive basic starter set?
  Check out this 5 Piece Pliers Set
• Wire Cutters (or scissors)
• Leather Cording
• Thin Bronze Jewelry Wire
• Various Charms and Beads
• E6000 Glue (I typically buy the small 4-pack so that they won’t dry up from infrequent use)

STEPS:

Wrapping Wire Around Rock

I began by wrapping the wire from the top of the rock, making sure to leave enough wire on both ends to hold the leaf charm.

I felt the best place to start was from the back, and then I wrapped the wire around the rock, using the natural lines in the rock to decide my placement.

Adding a Charm to Top of Stone:

Once I wrapped the stone, I twisted the two ends together and then slipped on a leaf charm. Note that the charm loops in front by pulling the wire forward. Once I had the leaf where I wanted it to be, I pulled the twisted wire to the back and cut off the excess.

Adding Cording:

My next step was to attach the leather cording beneath the wires I pulled forward in the previous step (securing the charm), then repositioned the charm back to the front of the rock.

At this point, I also added some E6000 glue just beneath the cording and wire to hold it all in place.  This step was necessary since the cord did not secure the wire in the front but draped over the front of the stone (and the cording).  The glue would help make sure the leaf charm would not pull up and possibly detach from the cord.

Adding Beads to the Cording Above the Rock:

With the charm attached to the wire, I began slipping beads over both cords.  I did this for two reasons: One, I liked the look. Two, I needed something to hold the leaf charm and cording down over the rock.

I then finished the beads off by twisting some more wire around the cording over the beads. I liked the look, but it was also necessary to keep the beads in place.

Finishing the Ends:

It was now time to finish off the loose ends of the leather cording. Since I decided that I wanted to attach this necklace with a square knot, I took the cording ends, folded each end in half, and inserted each end into a bead to hide.

Folding the cording in half before inserting it in the bead giving the bead more grip. I then finished it off by applying a little E6000 glue with a toothpick to the inside of the bead to hold it in place.

Completed Bastrop Rock Necklace:

I love the results and certainly can’t complain about the project’s total cost, which was less than $3.00 in materials needed to make the necklace.

I hope this project inspires you to create your own travel souvenirs!

Happy Trails!
Mrs. Padilly

“Take only memories, leave only footprints.”

There are many interpretations of this quote, but most would agree it means we should treat the outdoors with respect, and by doing so, nature will give us many wonderful memories.

I always keep this thought in mind when I’m in the outdoors, especially when I make the artistic decision to take more than memories and bring home a rock.

For me, treating the outdoors with respect includes:

• If you see trash, pick it up
• Don’t damage park property
• Stay on the path
• Water is not a garbage can
• And by all means, do not fill your trunk with rocks!

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: Mrs. Padilly (aka DM Johnson) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

advertisement