Cut Out + Keep

Modified Dragon Pendant

I put some sizzle in my new dragon necklace.

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/modified-dragon-pendant • Posted by Vermin Jerky

I got this dragon necklace at the county fair for $4. As cool as it was, I knew it could be better. It didn't have a finish and only one crystal, so it looked a bit flat. The changes cost virtually nothing. Here's what I did: 1. Washed and dried it thoroughly. 2. I painted segments of the pendant black with ordinary acrylic craft paint (29 to 50 cents a bottle). I used a paper towel to wipe the paint off as I worked. This left black paint only in the grooves and details, making the highlights pop. 3. The additional rhinestones came from a nail decorating kit I got for a dollar. (Crafter's jackpot. Glue, hundreds of rhinestones, and six miniature vials.) I tried to use hot glue (miserable failure) but the glue that came with the kit (similar to super glue but virtually invisible) was perfect and has proven durable. I applied them with tweezers. It only took a few minutes. I think a few subtle changes made a big difference, and it looks better, bolder, and higher quality. For pennies! Don't you love DIY?

You will need

Project Budget
Almost Nothing

Time

0 h 15

Difficulty

Pretty Easy
Medium dragon modify 1 1309490977 Medium dragon modify 2 1309491037 Medium dragon modify 3 1309491738

Description

I got this dragon necklace at the county fair for $4. As cool as it was, I knew it could be better. It didn't have a finish and only one crystal, so it looked a bit flat. The changes cost virtually nothing. Here's what I did: 1. Washed and dried it thoroughly. 2. I painted segments of the pendant black with ordinary acrylic craft paint (29 to 50 cents a bottle). I used a paper towel to wipe the paint off as I worked. This left black paint only in the grooves and details, making the highlights pop. 3. The additional rhinestones came from a nail decorating kit I got for a dollar. (Crafter's jackpot. Glue, hundreds of rhinestones, and six miniature vials.) I tried to use hot glue (miserable failure) but the glue that came with the kit (similar to super glue but virtually invisible) was perfect and has proven durable. I applied them with tweezers. It only took a few minutes. I think a few subtle changes made a big difference, and it looks better, bolder, and higher quality. For pennies! Don't you love DIY?

Instructions