Origami Leaf Necklace Instructions
Take a 2″ x 2″ square sheet of paper and cut it in half on the diagonal. Use this triangular sheet to fold an origami leaf according to instructions.Use a sharp needle or pin to poke a hole through the center of the leaf where it bends.
- Remove the pin and insert an eye pin in the hole. Be sure the eye pin is pushed towards the bend as far as possible.
- Apply glue along the inner edge of the leaf (read about glues here). Press under a weight until the glue is dry.
Optional: cut the tip of the origami leaf off. This extra bit of paper neither hinders or helps the creation of the necklace.
- Flare open the pleats of the origami leaf to the desired width. Protect the leaf from water, sweat, and natural oils, by applying a clear, waterproof coating. You can brush on a layer of clear nail polish or spray on a layer of varnish or shellac. Read about sealants & coatings here. Allow sealant to dry before proceeding.
Thread one, two, or three spacer beads onto the eye pin. If you use one bead, a 1″ eye pin is long enough. If you use 3 or more beads, then 2″ eye pin is required. Grasp the protruding wire about an eighth of an inch above the spacer bead and bend the wire perpendicular to the length of the leaf.
- Wrap the wire around the tip of the pliers to form a loop. This is easier to do if you have two pliers: one plier holds the wire at the bend while the other plier grasps the wire and does the wrapping. Wrap remaining wire around the base of the loop (below the loop but above the bead). Cut off excess wire with wire cutters.
- Twist open a jump ring and hook it to the loop you just made. Note: open jump rings by twisting the two sides away from one another. No not pull them apart as this will distort their shape (details here).
- Close the jump ring and slide it onto a leather cord.
Attach the end caps to the two ends of the leather cord. First place the cord in the cavity of the end cap and apply a generous amount of glue. Use (crimp) pliers to fold the flaps of the end cap over the leather cord. Pinch close firmly.A lobster claw clasp was used here, but other clasps work just as well. Open a jump ring and hook it onto the end cap. Hook the lobster claw clasp onto the same jump ring and then close the jump ring.Repeat with the other end of the leather cord: glue and clamp on the end cap and attach a jump ring. Your origami leaf necklace is done!
This origami choker looks best with fall colors such as browns, green, deep reds, and dusty yellows. However, you can also use gold or silver foil paper. This changes the deep autumn colors into a shimmering bright tone. Keep in mind that foil paper does not coat well, so such necklaces must be worn with care.
Chokers typically rest at the base of the neck allowing the leaf to sit in the small hollow between the collarbone. You can use a longer or shorter length of cord depending on where you want the origami leaf pendant to hang. Follow these guidelines for necklace lengths:
- Collar Necklace (12-13 inches): are the shortest necklaces possible. They snugly wrap around the middle section of the neck.
- Choker Necklaces (14-16 inches): are the second shortest necklaces. They lie just above the collarbone near the base of the neck.
- Princess Necklaces (18-20 inches): are the most common length for necklaces. They hang below the collarbone and are visible or just-visible with a standard shirt.
- Matinee Necklaces (21-25 inches): are longer than your typical princess necklaces and rests on top of the bustline. The matinee can be worn outside of a buttoned shirt or blazer.
- Opera Necklaces (30-35 inches): are fairly long and often rests near the breastbone below the bustline. These necklaces tend to be showy with chunky gems or prominent pendants.
- Sautoir or Rope Necklace (45+ inches): very long necklaces! They can be worn super long, or can be wrapped into multiple strands of shorter necklaces. Large or heavy pendants should be avoided because they make the necklace look like it is being dragged down.
