DIY Black Panther - Nakia & Shuri Choker Necklaces

Recreated my 2 favorite pieces of jewelry from Marvel's Black Panther movie. A small delicate choker necklace worn by Nakia, & the popular cowrie shell choker worn by Shuri.

DIRECTIONS FOR NAKIA'S CHOKER NECKLACE//

MATERIALS//
*click items to shop

-1 yard of silver chain (gold)
-bicone beads (colors based on Nakia's tribe: jonquil, fern green, and peridot) [you can also use seed beads]
-wire ring - or wire hoop earrings (which is what I ended up using) (gold)
- chain extender (optional)(gold)
- 2 jump rings (gold) [if you don't have a chain extender, you might need about 4 jump rings]
- 1 lobster clasp (gold)
- jewelry making tool kit (all pliers + side cutter)
- measuring tape

STEPS//

1) Use the measuring tape around your neck to get the measurement for the necklace.
2) Use this measurement to cut the chain. (I cut a little more than my measurement incase of mistakes or tightness.)
3) Find the middle of the necklace and use the side cutter to cut it in half.
4) Open your wire hoop and slide the left chain onto it first.
5) Add your beads. (the beads should only cover the bottom half of the hoop.) Add the other chain after the beads.
6) Close the wire hoop by inserting the straight end into the hoop end and pushing the wires together causing the wire to overlap.
7) Use the flat nose pliers to tighten the hoop end to secure the beads and chains.
8) Use the side cutter to cut off any excess.
9)Try on the necklace and use the side cutter to make any adjustments.
10) Attach the chain extender (or extra jump rings) to the end of one side of the necklace. Secure with pliers
11) Attach a jump ring to the lobster clasp and attach them both to the other end of the necklace.

DIRECTIONS FOR SHURI'S COWRIE SHELL CHOKER//

MATERIALS//
*click items to shop

-scissors
-measuring tape
-2ft of 1" wide velvet ribbon
-cowrie shells
-jewelry & bead glue
-chain extender (optional) [use extra jump rings](gold)
-2 jump rings (gold)
-2 ribbon clamps (gold)
-1 lobster clasp (gold)
-jewelry making tool kit (all pliers + side cutter)

STEPS//

1) Use the measuring tape around your neck to get the measurement for the choker.
2) Use this measurement to cut the ribbon. Cut the exact measurement, do not not cut extra.
3) Trim the ends of the ribbon (something I forgot to do) & fold over about a quarter of an inch on both sides and place the ribbon clamps over the folded edges.
4) Attach the chain extender ( or about 3-4 jump rings) to a jump ring and attach it to one end of the choker.
5) Attach a jump ring to the lobster clasp and attach it to the other end of the choker.
6) Arrange the placement of your shells before gluing.
7) When gluing, make sure to only glue the outer edges of the shell.

more diys on the way!