A Chipfork Necklace

Tatty Devine turn chip forks in to a necklace for Eithne Farry's new book.

Posted by Tatty Devine

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There's nothing nicer than eating chips at the end of the pier, while keeping a weather eye on marauding seagulls. Don't throw away your chip forks, instead turn them into jewellery designed by GUEST STARS Rosie Wolfenden and Harriet Vine from super-cool jewellery label Tatty Devine.

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You Will Need (11 things)

  • Small Paintbrush
  • 1 scrap of flat Wood for drilling into
  • 1 Clasp(s) (a lobster clasp is best - this is the one that looks like a crustacean's claw - but any kind of clasp will do). Craft shops sell them.
  • Drill
  • Wet and dry Sand Paper , which is very fine, and, as suggests, you can use it both wet and dry to get really smooth effects
  • Matt Varnish
  • About 20cm of Chain (or an old necklace)
  • handful of Chip Forks - as many as you need to reach comfortably across your neck from one collarbone to the other.
  • 6mm Jump Ring(s) , as many as you have chip forks (you may need smaller ones if your chain has small links)
  • 2mm Drill Bit
  • 2 pairs of Pliers

Steps (8 steps, 50 minutes)

  1. 1

    To get some wooden chip forks go to your local chippy, or perhaps take a day trip to the seaside if you don’t have one nearby.

  2. 2

    Placing the chip forks onto the scrap piece of wood, drill two holes in each fork at the rounded end. The holes need to be at least 2mm from the edge.

  3. 3

    Give the Chip forks a light rub with the sandpaper and wipe away any dust.

  4. 4

    Varnish the chip forks all over, then leave them to dry.

  5. 5

    When dry, rub the chip forks lightly with the sandpaper again. To get a really lovely finish, you can apply a second coat of varnish.

  6. 6

    Once they are completely dry and smooth, link them together with the jump rings. Grip the jump ring with one pair of pliers, use the other pair to prise the jump ring apart. Attach as many as you need to reach comfortably across your neck from one collarbone to the other.

  7. 7

    Using a jump ring, attach at 10cm length of chain to the last hole on the linked chip forks. Attach a lobster clasp to the other end of the chain.

  8. 8

    Do the same on the other end of the chip forks, except finish off with a jump ring instead of the clasp.

    The length of chain is just a guide, and depends on the size of your neck and the amount of Chip forks you use. It’s best to start off with too much and shorten it as you need to, but try to keep the chain the same length each side.

    The necklace looks great ‘au naturelle’, but would also look good painted with bright seaside colours or beach-hut pastels. You could also make matching sunglasses by gluing chip forks down the arms of your sunglasses!