Chunky Wooden Bauble Necklace

This Chunky Wooden Bauble Necklace from Lauren Tien is a great way to use up those napkin holders you no longer want.  Similar to the fashionable necklaces you may find in Anthropologie, this easy knockoff is easy, inexpensive, and clever!

Materials:

• 7 wooden napkin rings
• Paint
• Yarn or string
• Something to hang your wooden rings to dry (I used a pencil set across 2 jars)

Instructions:

1. Gather your wood pieces, paint, yarn or string, and something to hang your wooden rings on to dry. For drying, I used a pencil set across two jars {The pencil being where I hung the wooden rings, and the jars as an anchor on either side-- creating a little trapeze looking contraption. It kept my painted wood from setting on anything, allowing them to dry properly}
    
2. Dip your wood piece half way into your paint. I used BEHR's sample size of cobalt blue. It is a matte finish, which is what I wanted {and what I had in my paint bin}. You could also use multiple paint colors to achieve a different look.
    
3. After dipping your wood piece, hold it over the paint to allow excess drips to go back into your paint can. You can also utilize a flat paintbrush to wipe off paint if the coat is too thick.
    
4. Hang your half painted wood piece on your pencil trapeze drying contraption {or by other means} so as not to set the paint on any surface while it is drying.
    
5. Repeat steps 1-3 for each wood ring.
    
6. Allow to dry fully for one to two hours. Maybe more because the dipping process creates a thick layer of paint {I left mine to dry over night}
    
7. Cut your yarn to length, giving extra slack to play around with once you have the baubles around your neck {I like to have options for long, medium, and short, how about you?}.
    
8. String your colorblocked wooden baubles onto your yarn. You can really be creative with this. Use ribbon or even a long chain repurposed from another necklace. Make it completely your creation. It is truly up to you!
    
9. Add your necklace to your outfit of the day, and get ready to wear your statement piece about town! {And, if you somehow aren't agreeing with your necklace. Take it off, pop some napkins in your baubles, and throw a dinner party! Your guests are sure to notice your statement colorblocked accessories }