Upcycled Comic Book Necklaces

My husband and I are comic book geeks.

A glimpse at our decor

I was always a cartoon and superhero junkie, and in college I got into Neila Gaiman's Sandman series; but I really got pulled into the world of comics when I met Eric and now that's pretty much our lives. A simple example that kind of sheds light on it all... we picked the paint color for our kitchen (you can see our kitchen in one of my previous entries) to match the background of a Tony Harris Batman painting that is framed and hanging in the kitchen. Told you we were geeks!
Despite the fact that I like comic books I do have a slightly sadistic and very sarcastic side of me that likes to poke fun at it all (especially at Eric's expense!) I can not tell you how much pleasure it gives me to chop up comic books (although I usually only use the bad ones) to make these funky necklaces and see the horror on the fan boys' faces when I put them on the table to sell at comic shows. There are a lot of bad books out there and this is a great way to keep them out of landfill.
ALSO!!! My tutorial for these necklaces will be featured on a great new site I found recently that features indie crafters. The site has profiles of crafters, great tutorials, and even GIVEAWAYS!!! Check out http://monsterbites365.com/  this Wednesday, August 3 for a chance to win one of my comic book necklaces. Then, keep going back every day for a chance to win other great stuff and meet cool crafters.

Upcycled Comic Book Necklace

 These necklaces were 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. I started with more abstract shapes but finally did the “X”!

Materials:
Comic book
Glue stick
Liquid glue (like Elmer’s)
Large eyed needle
Metal chain
Jump rings
Bamboo skewer (or other similarly shaped and sized stick-like object)
Lobster, spring ring, or other necklace clasp
Jewelry pliers
Rubber bands
Mod Podge (or other sealant for paper)
Small paint brush

Directions:

1. Find a comic book with little or no value. I usually stock up on "Free Comic Book Day"; the first Saturday in May 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 (a hair shy of 2 ¼” wide). I used a guillotine cutter to make it easier, but scissors work nicely too!

Here's a pile of the strips cut to the right size.

2. Take each strip, fold it in half lengthwise, and then fold the outsides in to the center seam.

3. Lightly glue each strip (I use a glue stick) down the quarter flaps and the middle and press it together so that it's flat. I usually weight the strips under a heavy book or something of a similar weight for about 10 minutes to keep them flat.

 5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

Here's a coil drying with the rubber band wrapped around it.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Find an interesting thread and stitch away between the coils. I used cotton embroidery thread on the fuchsia one. I used a larger gauge beading needle and made three passes at each coil to coil seam. I wasn't able to do it in one continuous line of stitching, so there are some knots on the back. GLUE YOUR KNOTS!!!

11. I also made passes over the outer edge of the top coils so I could attach my jump rings. Use your pliers to open the rings and thread them underneath your stitches. Close the jump rings.

12. Attach your chain to the jump rings, add a clasp, and it is ready to wear!

This is another one I made using olive green thread.