How To Make Guitar String Jewelry

Over time, guitar strings will wear out from use.  The string will break or they become too rusty to continue.  Therefore, you can use old guitar strings to make jewelry.  You can add beads and charms to the guitar string and make a bracelet or necklace.  This is very similar to making other types of wire jewelry.  The hardest part for a beginning jewelry maker is hooking up the clasps.

Items you will need to make jewelry from guitar strings include:

• Measuring tape


• Guitar string


• Wire cutters


• Cotton balls


• Rubbing alcohol


• Beads


• Charms


• Hook clasp


• 2 crimp beads


• Eye clasp


• Needlenose pliers

1. Pick a guitar string from E, A, D or G.  Do not choose strings B and E because they are too sharp for a bracelet or necklace.


2. Shape the string around you wrist or neck to figure out the length of the bracelet or necklace.  A necklace is usually 16 inches or longer.  A bracelet is usually 7 to 8 inches long.


3. Keep the measurement in place and add six inches to that guitar string length.  You need extra length for attaching the hook and eye clasps. 


4. Slice the guitar strings at a measured point with wire cutters.


5. Take some rubbing alcohol and cotton balls. Clean the length of the guitar string.


6. Take the beads and charms and feed them through the guitar string.


7. Take the hook clasp and attach it to one end of the necklace using a crimp bead.


8. Get some guitar string and thread it three inches through the crimp bead and the small circle of the hook clasp.


9. Take some guitar string and thread it back in the crimp bead to make a 1/6 inch loop.


10. Use the needlenose pliers to flatten the crimp bead in place.  Turn the string over to make the crimp bead flat on opposite sides.


11. Look to see if the crimp bead is secure and won’t slide on the guitar string.


12. Cut the hanging looped guitar string with some wire cutters.


13. Hook the eye clasp to the other end of the guitar string and use a crimp bead.


14. Take three inches of guitar string through the crimp bead and the small circle of the eye clasp.


15. Thread the string through the crimp bead to create a 1/6-inch loop.


16. Use the needle nose pliers to flatten the crimp bead.  Turn the string over to make the crimp bead flat on both sides.


17. Make sure the crimp bead is secure and will not slide on the guitar string.


18. Cut the hanging looped guitar string with some wire cutters.


19. Take the hook clasp and feed it through the eye clasp to make the necklace of bracelet secure.