Steampunk style

Combine vintage watch parts and bright beads to form Michelle Nazar's statement necklace

Michelle Nazar, MJ Designer

Create a shorter version of the necklace to form a matching bracelet

Combining historic antique elements with a contemporary twist, steampunk and vintage style is growing in popularity. This fabulous statement necklace takes old watch faces and cogs, sourced from eBay, and hung them from chunky gold chain threaded with vibrant velvet ribbons. Purple and blue dagger beads, pearls and diamanté add a luxurious feel to the machine aesthetic, creating a unique design that's sure to be noticed!

Necklace

1. Cut two 21cm sections of chunky curb chain. Weave deep purple velvet ribbon through one of the chains, and royal blue velvet ribbon through the other. Secure each ribbon at both ends by folding it over and stitching it to form a loop.
2. Cut two 26cm lengths of beading wire, then attach one strand to the first link of the purple ribbon chain with crimps. Pass the wire through the next link, then thread on a purple shell tusk, four lapis lazuli tusks and a blue pearl. Take the wire through the curb chain and thread on another pearl, three lapis tusks and an amethyst rondelle.
3. Pass through the chain and thread on a pearl, three lapis tusks, another pearl and an amethyst rondelle. Repeat this last sequence three more times and finish with a pearl, three small lapis tusks and a final pearl. Attach to the end of the ribbon chain with crimps. Repeat the stringing order on the royal blue ribbon chain.
4. Take a vintage 25mm watch cog and adhere three smaller watch wheels and cogs onto the front with strong glue, followed by a vintage rhinestone decoration on top. Cut 6cm of purple velvet ribbon, thread it through the 25mm cog and stitch together to form a loop. Take a vintage brooch, open the pin and thread on the cog with the ribbon loop, making sure that it hangs just below with the embellished side facing.
5. Decorate the brooch by attaching a length of gold wire and threading with an amethyst rondelle, lapis tusk, two rondelles, a purple shell tusk, rondelle, lapis tusk and a rondelle. Wire wrap seven pearls around one edge of another 25mm cog and glue a strip of diamanté around the opposite side, before adhering to the brooch.then hang from the first link of the purple ribbon curb chain with a jump ring.
6. Attach the ribbon chains to the brooch using the pin. The chains will then be detachable so that you can wear this piece as a brooch or a necklace. Fasten a key charm to a 5cm eye pin formed from a doubled twisted length of gold wire,
7. Suspend a 45mm vintage watch face from the third link in the purple ribbon chain with a jump ring. Wire wrap six pearls to the outside edge of a 40mm watch cog, glue a diamanté pendant to one of the spokes, and finish by adhering a 4cm strip of diamanté to the remaining outside edge. Thread 7cm of purple ribbon through the 40mm cog, sew together to form a loop, then attach with neat stitches to the fourth link of the purple ribbon chain.
8. Take another 25mm cog, glue on a silver cog then wrap eight pearls with soft gold wire around the outer edge. Thread 6cm of lilac ribbon through the cog, stitch together to form a loop and fasten to the fifth link of the purple ribbon chain. Decorate another 40mm vintage watch face with a 20mm cog and a strip of diamanté. Attach a 6cm loop of royal blue ribbon and secure to the third link of the royal blue ribbon chain.
9. Wire wrap five pearls around the outer edge of a 20mm cog, then attach a 5cm loop of lilac velvet ribbon and stitch to the fifth link of the royal blue ribbon chain. Onto the front of the same link, sew a 20mm cog onto the ribbon. Finally, add a vintage-style clasp to the ends of the necklace with jump rings.