With so many people ditching CD’s and sticking to completely digital formats, many of us have a load of CD’s just lying around, before you throw them away, they can be used to make beautiful beads, seriously!

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You can make many different kinds of items, but for this example I will use a necklace.

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You will need:

A CD

A microwave

A pot of boiling water or an oven

Some heavy duty scissors

Tongs (if you are using boiling water)

Marker pen

Small drill or screw and screwdriver

Appropriate findings, for example: Ear wires, chain, jump rings etc

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Step 1: Find yourself a good clean CD, it doesn’t matter if it is a little scratched, place it shiny side up in the microwave for 5 seconds ( It will spark, but do not worry, I have done this many times and as long as you stick to about 5 seconds at a time, it will not damage it. Do this again for 5 seconds, you should have noticed that the CD now has a beautiful crackled, darker effect. If not, put it back in for 5 more seconds.

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Step 2: Place the CD in either the oven at 300 degrees for about fifteen minutes, or a pot of boiling water for the same length of time. Remove carefully, using tongs if you are using the water and oven gloves if using the oven.

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Step 3: Use the marker pen to draw and mark which shapes you want and cut them out. Whilst the CD is still fairly warm, use the small drill or small screw and screwdriver to make the holes in the top of your shapes. Allow the CD to cool.

> Step 4: Attach your findings (wire, chain, jump rings etc)