How to make Glasses Chains
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Here’s how to make a glasses chain using an old necklace and some hair elastics!
Sometimes I like to MacGyver some things together to make something far more useful, this is one of those times. I needed a sunglasses chain for an upcoming trip where I definitely didn’t want to lose my glasses. In the past I’ve made glasses chains using specialised findings, but I found that the rubber would wear out and break very quickly, so I wanted a more durable option… cue hair elastics! By tying some hair elastics cleverly, I’ve now got a stylish glasses chain that is far more long lasting than my old rubber pieces. How cool!?!
Please note that this tutorial contains affiliate links.
You will need the following tools and materials to make your glasses chain:
1: Two thin hair elastics.
2: A long chain that you don’t use anymore. I used this snake chain costume jewelry necklace.
3: Some flat nose pliers for opening and closing jump rings.
Here are the steps to make your own handy glasses chain using hair elastics:
1: Using your pliers. Remove the clasp and any additional hardware from the jump rings on either end of the chain.
2: Close the jump rings.
3: Take one of the hair elastics, fold it in half and thread it though one of the jump rings at the end of the chain.
4: Loop the other end of the elastic through the loop that you just threaded through the jump ring and pull it tight.
5: Create a knot above the loop you just made to secure the elastic on the jump ring.
6: Now find a spot near the middle of the elastic, but closer to the open end of it, and create a knot. You might need to make it closer to the end of the elastic or further away depending on the width of your glasses arms.
7: Repeat steps 3 to 6 for the second elastic to complete the glasses chain.
Once you have both elastics in place your glasses chain is ready to use! Here’s my finished chain.
And here are some more I made:
This one was made with a handmade beaded copper chain.
Here’s some pre-made beaded chain you can use if you don’t want to make your own:
And this one was made using a vintage plastic chain.
Here are some plastic chain options you can use:
Here are some more glasses chain tutorials you can follow using traditional findings, if you want to use elastics instead, just follow the steps in this tutorial to knot them in place 😉
- Here’s how to make a glasses chain using a ball chain. This one also has clips so you can use it to keep track of a face mask or other accessory.
- Here’s a simple glasses chain with bead accents.
- This is a fully beaded glasses chain.
- This one shows you how to make a chain using head pins and beads.
- This glasses chain is made from recycled materials.
- Here’s a tutorial that shows you how to make a rhinestone glasses chain.
- This glasses chain has dangling charms on it.
- And finally, this tutorial shows you how you can use a glasses chain as a holder for your wireless headphones!
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How to make a rhinestone glasses chain!
I think glasses chains are so cool! This glasses chain design is super glam, made from a sparkly rhinestone string for some practical glamour! Please note that this tutorial contains affiliate links.
You’ll need these tools and materials to do this DIY:
1: A length of rhinestone chain at a length you like. Check this by wrapping it around the back of your neck and seeing where it falls against your chest.
2: Pliers. I used my cutting pliers to cut the rhinestone chain. I also used my flat nose pliers and round nose pliers.
3: Crimp ends that fit around the rhinestones. I used these rose gold coloured ones.
4: Two jump rings.
5: Two rubber glassses holders.
Follow these steps to make your cute rhinestone glasses chain:
1: Take one end of the rhinestone chain and place it inside one of the crimp ends.
2: Squash one side of the crimp end around the rhinestone strand using the flat nose pliers. Be careful here because the rhinestones like to pop out.
3: Squash the other side of the crimp around the rhinestones and the first side using the flat nose pliers again. Now your crimp end should be secured onto the strand.
4: Repeat step 3 for the second crimp end on the other side of the rhinestone chain.
5: Add a jump ring to one end of the chain and use it to secure the rubber glasses holder in place. Repeat this for the other end of the chain to finish your DIY off.
Now your rhinestone glasses chain is ready to use! Pop them onto your favorite spectacles or sunnies and shine on.
Here are some other rhinestone DIY’s you can make:
- A rhinestone embellished hair comb
- This cute pair of rhinestone alligator hair clips
- These two different rhinestone headbands
- Some crazy rhinestone statement earrings, check them out here and here
- An amazing rhinestone brooch
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Here’s how to make a 2 in 1 glasses and mask chain.
People are starting to wear masks as part of every day life, if you want to add a bit of your own style to your mask why not make this cute mask chain? Add some glasses holders and you’ve got a piece that works double time! Clip it to your mask or pop it on the arms of your glasses, whatever you like! This tutorial contains affiliate links.
You’ll need the following tools and materials to make your mask/glasses chain:
1: Pliers. I used my flat nose pliers.
2: A ball chain. I used this rose gold-tone ball chain.
3: Two crimp ends. I used these rose gold ones that match my chain.
4: Two large lobster clasps. I used these silver tone ones.
5: Two rubber glasses holders.
6: Two jump rings.
Follow these steps to make your mask/glasses chain:
1: Remove the clasp on the ball chain.
2: Add one of the crimp ends to one end of the ball chain.
3: Use the flat nose pliers to carefully close and squash the crimp end around the end of the chain.
4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the other end of the chain.
5: Add one of the jump rings to one of the crimp ends.
6: Add one of the clasps and one of the glasses holders to the jump ring.
7: Close the jump ring to secure the clasp and rubber holder in place.
8: Repeat steps 5 to 7 for the other end of the chain to finish it off!
You can use the clasps to attach the chain to your mask or the rubber holders to secure them to your glasses! How good?!
This tutorial contains affiliate links.
Check out some of our other glasses chain tutorials:
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Here’s how to incorporate recycled materials into a glasses chain DIY
Are you interested in incorporating recycled materials in to your DIY jewelry designs? Here’s an idea for you… a glasses chain made with a recycled headphone cord.
You will need the following tools and materials to make your glasses chain:
1: Pliers. You will need your round nose pliers, flat nose pliers and cutting pliers.
2: A piece of cord from an old broken pair of headphones. I used this cord leftover from another project.
3: Beads with holes big enough to fit your cord. I used 10 of these painted wooden beads.
4: Two crimp ends.
5: Two jump rings.
6: Two rubber glasses holders.
Follow these steps to make your glasses chain:
1: Trim excess material from your cord using the cutting pliers.
2: Add the beads to the cord.
3: Fold one of the crimp ends around one end of the cord using the flat nose pliers.
4: Add the second crimp end to the other end of the cord.
5: Attach the glasses holders to each end of the cord using the jump rings.
Now your glasses chain is finished and ready to use. Perfect for windy spring days or for when you’re getting active outside!
Here’s another version I made using some broken apple headphones and some plastic heart shaped beads.
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Glasses chains are HOT! Make your own cool sunglass chain holder for summer.
Glasses chains are really hot right now! If our other glasses chain tutorials aren’t for you why not try this one out? Contains affiliate links.
You’ll need the following tools and materials to make your glasses chain:
1: Pliers. You’ll need your flat nose and round nose pliers to make this glasses chain.
2: Two glasses holder findings.
3: Two large jump rings.
4: Eye pins.
5: Beads. I used these vintage plastic beads recycled from a necklace I inherited.
Follow these steps to make your beaded glasses chain:
1: Add beads to the pins and loops the ends to secure them in place.
2: Start linking the beaded pins to form a chain.
3: Continue making the beaded chain links until your chain is at your desired length.
4: Attach a glasses holder to each end of the chain using the jump rings.
Now your glasses chain is finished and ready to use! Wonderful for keeping your glasses safe during summer activities.
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How to make a beaded glasses chain for summer
Do you love being able to hang your sunnies around your neck? This beaded glasses chain is perfect for keeping track of your sunglasses this summer. This tutorial contains affiliate links.
You will need the following tools and materials to make your beaded glasses chain:
1: Pliers. You will need your cutting pliers, flat nose pliers and round nose pliers to make this glasses chain.
2: A long piece of tiger tail wire (length depends on how long your want your chain to fall). I made mine approximately 50cm long.
3: Four crimp beads.
4: Two jump rings.
5: Beads of your choice. I used these vintage glass beads.
6: Two glasses holder findings.
Follow these steps to make your beaded glasses chain:
1: Add two crimp beads to one end of the wire.
2: Add one of the jump rings to the same end on top of the crimp beads.
3: Bend the end of the wire around the jump ring and through the crimp beads.
4: Squash the crimp beads using the flat nose pliers.
5: Add the beads to the strand. I added mine randomly but you might want to make a pattern.
6: Continue beading until it reaches the length you would like (leave enough wire to secure the strand closed).
7: Add the second set of crimp beads to the wire.
8: Add the other jump ring to the wire.
9: Loop the wire around the jump ring and back through the crimp beads and the first couple of beads pulling it tight.
10: Squash the crimps with the flat nose pliers.
11: Cut the excess wire using the cutting pliers.
12: Attach a glasses holder to each end of the strand.
Now your glasses chain is finished and ready for use! Use it all summer long!
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Here’s how to make the perfect glasses chain for summer!
Summer in the Southern Hemisphere is coming! If you’re like me and hate losing your sunglasses you’ll need to get this handy glasses chain into your accessories arsenal.
You’ll need the following tools and materials to make your glasses chain:
1: Pliers. You’ll need your flat nose and round nose pliers.
2: Two glasses holder findings.
3: A piece of chain approximately 50cm long.
4: Ten eye pins.
5: Two jump rings.
6: Ten beads. I used these pink glass beads.
Follow these steps to make your glasses chain.
1: Add each of the beads to each of the eye pins.
2: Loop the top of each pin using the round nose pliers. This will secure the beads on the pins.
3: Link five of the beaded pins together to form a chain.
4: Link the remaining pins together to form a second chain.
5: Attach one of the beaded chains to one side of the long piece of chain.
6: Attach the other beaded chain to the other side of the long chain.
7: Attach a glasses holder to each side of the chain using the jump rings.
Now your glasses chain is finished and ready to wear! Perfect for keeping your sunnies secure during summer activities.
