I love the current fashion trend of cropped cardigans. I have added several colored cardigans to my closet recently, and I love the ease and versatility of adding a pop of color to my outfits.
I have noticed that the plain cardigans, are significantly less expensive than the embellished ones.
I found a really inexpensive way to add visual interest to my cardigans, or really, any top in my closet!
Jewelry clips.
The added bonus of the clips, is that they can be easily switched out, and don’t get tangled in necklaces you may choose to wear with them, or get caught in your hair in back like fussy necklaces.
I want to show you how easy these things are to create.
Let’s get started!
Here are the supplies you will need:
- Tonal Duets™ Earrings-Post-Filigree with Crystal
- Beaded Chain-Crystal and Pearl
- Darice® Accessory Flowers – Zinnias – White
- Silver Jump Rings
- Pliers
- Scissors
- Optional Items (I will cover this in the tutorial)
- Bail Mount (2)
- Jewelry Glue
The first thing you will want to do is prep your flowers. The fabric flowers come attached to netting.
Using scissors, cut the flowers from the netting as close to the flower perimeter as you can. Leave the netting intact on the back, this will just add additional stability to your project.
Then, attach your desired post earrings to the center of the flowers.
I love the Tonal Duets jewelry line because it mixes silver and gold together without looking weird. I wanted to be able to wear both silver and gold jewelry with my clips.
As an added bonus, this particular pair of post earrings already had a loop attached to the earring. It made this project easy.
The loop was intended for adding charms or beads. If you choose post earrings with some dangly things on it already, you can simply use your pliers to detach the embellishments. Just make sure to leave the loop!
If your post earrings do not have a loop, you will need to add your own. That’s where a jewelry bail mount comes in:
Using jewelry glue, adhere a bail mount to the backside of the selected earring–like I did with this pink earring on a different cardigan jewelry clip:
Allow time for the glue to dry completely. The bail mount is going to be used for attaching beaded chain. You can put it to the top or side of your earring post, wherever there is room for it to be glued. You will need the post! Do not cut it off, or cover it.
Attach the post earring to the center of the flowers. It will poke through easily.
Then, attach a jump ring to the loop.
The length of beaded crystal chain I chose was the perfect length (for me) doubled over.
If you would like to adjust chain length, you will need to measure, and cut your beaded chain to the length you desire.
I simply folded it in half.
Then attach the beaded chain to the earring loops using the jump rings.
Using pliers, secure the jump rings.
Now your cardigan clips are ready to go!
I would suggest you keep tight fitting earring backs on the posts.
To attach the clips to your sweater, simply remove the earring back, and poke the post through your sweater.
Re-attach the earring back, and repeat on the other side of the sweater.
That’s it! A quick way to dress up a cardigan!
I did my clips pretty neutral, but imagine adding a fun pop of color to your collection!
How fun is this chain?
BLUE AND BLACK (<–click)
Maybe with this flower?
BLUE SATIN RUFFLE (<–click)
Pop of yellow?
YELLOW CHAIN (<–click)
FLOWER (<–click)
I know I want to make more. I hope you try some too!
More Project Ideas
Shaunte is a 30-something, chocolate-loving, SAHM from Utah. She has been scrapbooking since 1997, the dreaded era of photos cropped with deco scissors. Since then, her work has evolved into a clean, linear, photo-focused style. Her favorite subjects to scrap are her husband and five kids (never a lack for subject material there).
I tend to buy pretty basic items and then spice them up with accessories so this tutorial was made for me!
I LOVE this! Really, why buy embellished cardis or tops when you can so easily create your own unique embellishments? Genius!
Really creative and such a cool accessory! I may need to try making these… they’d be a great gift too!
I LOVE this idea! Good thing it’s a quick and inexpensive project… because I’m going to have to buy some cardigans now, too! 😉
What a great idea…love it. Thanks for sharing.