Necklaces with keys have become a very popular trend, and look wonderful whether you’re using vintage keys or copies. I found these ones while visiting a flea market in the french countryside, and after a little scrubbing, turned them into necklaces. It’s easy to do, and fun scouring bead shops for things to add on.
Materials
- chain, cord, or ribbon
- keys
- add ons like beads, ribbons, etc
- clasps, jump rings, etc
- needle nose pliers
- wire cutters
- scissors
Making Your Necklace
While I’d love to call these skeleton keys, it turns out they’re not. True skeleton keys are like master keys, able to open many locks because of the way they bypass the wards (obstructions) inside. Some are bit keys, with a solid shank, while others are barrel keys with a hollow shank. Either way, most of the keys we think are skeleton keys have been designed to open only one lock, and are therefore just plain old bit or barrel keys.
Vintage keys can be found at flea markets and antique shops, while bead shops have more recent versions, along with all the other supplies you’ll need.
I added clasps and found them very easy to attach. Just make sure you have a good pair of needle nose pliers to add the various parts. Knots also work well, and will be easier if young children are making the necklaces themselves. You can also consider taking apart old jewelry you’re no longer using, to supply you with beads, etc. Have fun!
ArtClubBlog 
Fabulous gift ideas as well!
Absolutely! I’ll just need a little trip to France to collect more keys 😉
So cute! Do you have a shop?
No I don’t, although I’ve often thought it would be a great idea.
http://www.etsy.com/?ref=so_home
Cool stuff. Is this yours?
No, I wish. I just thought you could sell your cool jewelry. 🙂
Thanks for the tutorial. I love skeleton keys. I have a few, and I will make something like this for me. Thanks again 🙂
You’re welcome Ruth, and thanks for visiting!
These are beautiful! I love that you used cording for the necklace- adds to the vintage look!
So glad you liked them. Thanks!
That’s a great idea! I love old keys, and this way you can enjoy using them.
Thank you! I have some of them displayed on a bookcase, so it is nice to actually be able to use some of them, like you said.
These are fabulous. I love your bead selection.Definitely a great souvenir.
Thank you! I found the red ones at a bead shop, and the orange one was an old vintage button that belonged to my grand-mother. So nice to be able to find a use for them.
Your key necklaces are so pretty!
Dee
http://alapinlife.blogspot.com/
Thanks Dee 🙂
These are awesome! I think I’ve found justification for a trip to France… 🙂
LOL! I fully support that justification. Bon voyage 🙂
Gorgeous! Love them, thanks for linking!
Hopping over here from http://www.thedatingdivas.com, saw your post linked up to
http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com and fell in love! So beautiful!
~Angie @ The Dating Divas
Thank you Angie!
Hopping over here from http://www.thedatingdivas.com, saw your post linked up to
http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com and fell in love! These are beautiful!
~Angie @ The Dating Divas
Terrific necklace. I would love one of those!
Thanks so much! You can always make one 🙂
Love these 🙂 pinning them…Thanks for joining us at Creative Mondays
Thanks Claire!
What a nice idea! I’ve been reading through your blog, enjoying all the fun and inspiration. Thanks for stopping by my blog to have a look, and for taking the time to comment.
It was a pleasure, and thanks for visiting!
Very beautiful key necklaces.
Thank you so much!
I love these! I have a major addiction to antique keys and this is just awesome. Thanks so much for sharing.
That’s totally understandable. I love antique keys as well, but if I start doing estate sales like you, that’ll be the end of me! Thanks so much for dropping by.
Loving it, so wish I could find some vintage keys, I think everyone else in blogland got a hold of them before me! Very pretty necklace! Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success!
Don’t give up! Maybe a little trip to Europe will make it easier for you to find some 😉
Lovely idea for cute necklaces!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Thanks Jill!
This is a terrific use of vintage keys. I think this is a great look!
I’m so glad you like it! They’ve been fun to wear. Thanks so much for dropping by 🙂
Super cute idea. I can’t wait to try this. Great tutorial. Thanks so much for linking up last week to Creative Thursday. Can’t wait to see what you have for this week’s party! Have a great week.
Michelle
I love these necklaces. Really pretty. Thank you so much for sharing with Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party last week. This weeks Link Party is opened at
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/09/reeses-smore-brownies-and-wednesdays.html
from Wednesday until Sunday.
Hope to see you there.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
http://www.adornedfromabove.com
Oh, how pretty!! Thank you for sharing on Sharing Saturday!!
Thank you for participating in Show Your Stuff Blog Hop, You are invited to come back:
http://juliejewels1.blogspot.com/2012/09/show-your-stuff-41.html
Thanks Debi. I’ve been enjoying your party for some time now, and you will find these pumpkins already there. Thanks so much for hosting!
Very nice blog! Keep it up!
Why thank you 🙂
These are the keys to my heart. I love them.
Thanks! Loved tracking them down in a flea market.
Flea markets are like Sindbad’s cave of treasure. I absolutely adore them, and this.