A big fashion story at the moment is the bib necklace.  As the name suggests, they consist of a "bib" at the front and a piece of ribbon to tie round your neck.  The bib is embellished with beads, crystals, jewels, lace or ribbon, and the end result is something that really stands out and is ideal for enhancing a plain dress or top.

If you're strapped for cash or just want to get creative, you don't have to buy one new.   You can make your own necklace using stuff you've got lying around at home and/or find at boot fairs, charity/thrift shops or your granny's jewellery box (ask first though!)

It does help if, like me, you're a bit of a hoarder. The necklace in the pic is one I made myself using four brooches, some ribbon and a piece of thick leather from an old handbag. The beauty is that if I ever want to use the brooches as brooches, I can easily detach them from the leather. As well as the above items, you will need:

• A sharp knife (a scalpel or craft knife is ideal)
• A ruler or other straight object
• A pair of scissors
• A biro or pencil
• Two needles or safety pins - one thin and one thick
• A round object about 4" (10 cm) in diameter, e.g. a plate.

Use the bowl as a template to draw a semi-circle on the piece of leather.  Cut out the semi-circle with the scissors.  Use the craft knife to make two half inch incisions parallel to the straight edge of the semi-circle.  These are where you're going to thread the ribbon through.  Use the ruler to ensure that they're the same distance away from the straight edge.  You don't want them to go too close to this edge, or to the corners, because the leather will split; about three quarters of a centimetre is ideal. 

Lay the brooches out on the semi-circle; move them around until you've got an arrangement you like.  Then use the thin needle to puncture holes in the leather where the brooches will go.  The thicker needle can then be used to make the holes bigger.  It doesn't matter too much if you get the position of the holes a bit wrong, because chances are the brooches will cover things up anyway.  Attach your brooches, thread your ribbon through and away you go!  A statement necklace in half an hour.

PS: if you find the leather is a bit bendy you can always stick strips of leather/cardboard on the back to reinforce the backing - wood glue is a good adhesive to use for this.

© M. Ibbotson November 2009