Anthro Cameo Collage Necklace Knockoff

There is a super cool announcement at the end of the post but don’t scroll down and miss the post.
Read through and then get all excited.
Or you can scroll down and get all excited and then scroll back up and read this tutorial. Either way works for me. ;)

It’s time for another Anthro Necklace Tutorial!
I know. Yes – there are other cute necklaces out there to knockoff.

I can’t seem to help it. I end up over there at Anthropologie and I just fall in love. I love the cute, the quirky, the weird, I love it all.

So when a sweet reader, Windy, sent me a tutorial request for a great Anthro necklace, I, again, fell in love.
I’m fickle that way.

Maybe you’re fickle too? If you are, maybe you’ll fall in love with this one:

And here’s the Anthro version – they call it the Cameo Collage Necklace.

Isn’t it great? I love the charms and beads and cameos.

Ready to make one? I promise this one is soooo easy.

You’ll need:

• 1 - 24″ chain
• 1 - 7″ chain (can be same type or different)
• Assorted Charms – I used 22 but your number will vary depending on how full you’d like the necklace
   (See section below on adding charms for ideas on where to purchase)
• Jump rings
• Closure for necklace – any kind (I used a lobster clasp)

(This picture shows headpins as well – you can ignore those – I didn’t use them after all)

Start by cutting your chains. The long chain was purchased from Michael’s in a 24″ length and I cut the silver chain to a 7″ length.

Most of the work on this necklace is with jump rings. These are just rings with a cut in them.
Always open jump rings by twisting the open ends away from each other.

Don’t open them by pulling the ring wider. This will weaken the ring and distort its shape.
Close the ring the same way, by bringing the ends back together.

Measure down approx 7 1/2″ from each end of the long chain. Add a jump ring to the loop and add one end of your 7″ chain to the jump ring.

Repeat this process, adding the other end of the short chain to a ring 7 1/2″ down from the other end of the long chain.

Now it’s time to start adding on our charms.
You can find charms in lots of places. Michael’s has packages of different charms, or you can look for beads or charm bracelets at thrift stores or garage sales. Etsy is also a great place to look. I found most of these at this great shop. (I bought a couple “lots” of charms, I don’t know if that’s something they carry normally or not.)

Choose a charm as your focal point. I chose this fun clock charm but you can pick anything you like.
Add your focal charm to the center point of your long chain with a jump ring. Add it just like you attached the chains.

Add charms to the long chain, working along each side of the focal charm.

Vary the style and color of your charms as you go. You can switch out and use gold jump rings with silver charms and vice versa.
Add charms up to the point that your short chain is attached.

Now that the long chain section is done, add in charms to the short chain. I didn’t really measure these out, I just added charms where I thought they’d look nice.

To finish off your necklace, add the closure items to the ends of the long chain. I used a lobster clasp and added the rings to the ends of the chain.

And you’re done! Seriously – pretty easy huh? And muuuuuuuch less expensive than the $298 Anthro version. Yikes!

Here are some close ups of the charms I chose so you can see them a bit better.

I love them all but especially the camera, the wine bottle opener, and the bling. . .

The clock, the funky fish thing, the stone that looks like a sock a little . . .

the tomohawk, the marriage certificate (which I apparently thought should go together?!?) and the flamingo ;)
It’s fun to pick some random things and some things that mean something to you.

Ok yes. I love this one. I really love it.
But already my eyes are wandering just a bit. There are several more necklaces over there on my list.

I told you I’m fickle.

So I’m embracing my fickleness. I’ve decided to celebrate it. ;)
And I think the best way to celebrate it is to have another Anthro Necklace Week!

Yep!!!
Anthro Necklace Week will be March 21 – 26!

That means 5 Days of Anthro Necklace Knockoffs followed by 5 Giveaways – of those knockoffs!

Woohooo! I’m so excited! I hope you are too!
Mark your calendars – and get ready for some fun tutorials and giveaways!

Did I say Woohooo?? ;)