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Time: 8h00

Finally, something to do with all of those X-Force #1 books!
This necklace was actually inspired by a project I saw for a bowl made of one very large paper coil. I love geometric designs, but someone suggested I make one of these in the shape of an "X" since I was using an X-Men book at the time... we'll see!

Posted by Mimi L. from Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States • Published 22nd February 2010 • See Mimi L.'s 4 projects »

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Geometric

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Lori C. favorited Upcycled Comic Book Geometric Necklace 30 May 14:38
Emilia L. favorited Upcycled Comic Book Geometric Necklace 26 May 19:26
Marcia M. favorited Upcycled Comic Book Geometric Necklace 29 Jul 23:52
Mimi L. entered their project Upcycled Comic Book Geometric Necklace to Crunchy Granola Charm Contest 22 Feb 21:59

Step 1
Sorry I forgot to take pictures along the way again! I'll include some "after the fact" pics and I'll try to be very descriptive!
Find a comic book with little or no value. In the U.S. we have "Free Comic Book Day" every year; comic book stores and other retailers give out books that are stamped "Free Comic Book Day" and are therefore not worth much to collectors. You can also use magazines, catalogs, or anything that has color. Each page of the comic book is about 6 5/8" by 10 1/8". I cut each page into 3 strips lengthwise. I used a guillotine cutter to make it easier, but scissors work nicely too!
Step 2
Here's a pile of the strips cut to the right size. I'm using them for other projects too - more on that later!
Step 3
Take each strip, fold it in half lengthwise, then fold the outsides in to the center seam (see next pic).
Step 4
Fold outside quarters in to middle seam.
Step 5
Lightly glue each strip (I use a paste-like glue stick) down so that it's flat.
Step 6
Once your strips have dried, tape several together end-to-end. I wrap the tape around the paper completely. I wish I could find a better method because the tape is a little unsightly in the coil, but glues don't seem to get the job done the way I want. Note: I have used 2, 3, and 5 strips to make coils of different sizes.
Step 7
Now the frustrating, I mean fun part. Start coiling your strips. I start mine around a bamboo skewer to get a nice round hole in the center. When you've coiled it around about 5 times you can pull it off the skewer and keep coiling. Pull it tight as you go and get ready for some to pop out of your hands and come undone! I don't glue along the way because it makes it really messy.
Step 8
When you're done, put a line of liquid (i.e. Elmer's) glue along the inside of the last inch or so of the coil. Smooth it out and wrap a rubber band around it fairly tightly to let it set. I find 5 minutes is usually good enough and I can pull the rubber band off to use on my next coil.
Step 9
Here's a coil drying with the rubber band wrapped around it.
Step 10
With a fairly stiff brush, coat each coil with Mod Podge. I do one side, forcing the Mod Podge in between the layers, let it dry and then turn over and do the other side. You can use your bamboo skewer to clean out the center hole.
Step 11
After your coils have dried, arrange them in a pattern. I try to turn the seams in and usually tack them together with some glue.
Step 12
Find an interesting thread and stitch away between the coils. I used cotton embroidery thread on the fuschia one. I used a larger guague beading needle and made three passes at each coil to coil seem. I wasn't able to do it in one continuous line of stitching, so there are some knots on the back. GLUE YOUR KNOTS!!!
Step 13
I also made passes over the outer edge of the top coils so I could attach my jump rings. Use your plyers to open the rings and thread them underneat your stitches. Close the jump rings.
Step 14
Attach your chain to the jump rings and it is ready to wear!