Time for the July monthly Pinterest challenge! This month, I’m making DIY Borax crystal necklace!
If you aren’t familiar with the Pinterest Challenge, it’s a monthly blog challenge to get pin hoarders, that’s me, motivated to try pins from our boards. Here is the Pin inspiration for this DIY Borax crystal necklace –>> DIY Crystals. The inspiration necklace was a long vertical pendant, but I had flat pendant backings and decided to make mine round.
For more pin inspired projects, make sure to check out the links below!
Borax crystal necklace is a fun and easy DIY project
Warning! Borax is harmful if ingested, inhaled, or gets into the eyes. It can also cause a skin rash in some people. This project should be done with adult supervision at all times.
DIY Borax Crystal Necklace
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Active Time:
5 hours
Additional Time:
35 minutes
Total Time:
5 hours 55 minutes
How to make Borax crystal necklaces.
Materials
- Borax
- Water
- Food coloring gel - optional
- Chenille stems
- Stick or something to lay across the top of the jar
- Fishing line
- E6000 or Ultimate Glue
- Chain
- Clear gloss sealant - optional
- Metallic paint - optional
- Fine glitter - optional
Tools
- Pot
- Large glass heat proof jars (should hold at least cups)
- Fine sand paper
- Cloth or something to place over the top of the jar
Instructions
Create a chenille stem base by coiling the chenille to a circle that is about the size of the necklace base. 
Take fishing line and string through the center of the chenille base. If there are multiple bases, make sure to tie a knot under each base to keep them in place on the fishing line. Tie the fishing line to a stick that will lay across the top of the glass jar. - Boil 5-6 cups of water. Turn heat off. Measure 2 cups of water and place into the glass jar. Add about 3 heaping tablespoons of Borax per 1 cup of hot water. Mix thoroughly to dissolve Borax. Place jar into the pot with the remaining hot water. Optional - Add food color till you get the color desired.
Place chenille bases into the jar. Make sure the chenille bases are not touching the sides or bottom of the jar. Place an oven mitt or cardboard over the jar opening. The slow cooling will help form nice crystals. Let the chenille bases sit for 5 hours. - Remove crystals from the jar. Let the crystals dry overnight on a paper towel.
When the crystal is dry, sand one side flat by rubbing against fine sand paper. This is the side that will be glued to the necklace base. - Optional - Seal with a clear gloss sealant or clear nail polish. After making these crystal necklaces, I prefer not to seal them. Note - The crystals can be dissolved if coming into contact with extreme moisture.
Add a dab of glue to the flat back of the borax crystal and press the necklace base onto it. Let dry. 
If you don't want to add glitter to the edge of the necklace, stop here and add the chain. For color, paint the sides of the crystal and sprinkle fine glitter on while wet. Let dry. Lightly brush off any excess glitter. To prevent glitter from flaking off, spray some of the sealant on paper and use a paint brush to paint over the glitter.- Add a chain and it's ready to wear!
Notes
- Try to use the same color of chenille as the food color being used.
- Dry the crystals indoors as the sun will fade the crystals.
- Sealant can be used, but it will dull the crystals.
- Avoid water and extreme moisture when wearing these as it can slowly dissolve the crystals.
Let’s meet this month’s Pinterest Challenge hosts!
My Pinterventures • Cookies Coffee and Crafts
Sew Crafty Crochet • Eye Love Knots • My Sweet Things
Across the Boulevard • Suzerspace • Purple Hues and Me
Decorate and More with Tip • Mom Home Guide
Our Unschooling Journey • Intelligent Domestications
Craftify My Love • Life Beyond the Kitchen • K’s Olympic Nest
Teadoddles • Farm Girl Reformed • Simple Nature Decor
Stone Cottage Adventures
To join next month’s #pinterestchallenge, click here to sign-up ⇒ August Pinterest Challenge
Now, let’s see what the other hosts have created ⇓⇓
It’s like a science project for grown ups! I am mind blown. Pinned it!!!
Habiba, it is so addictive! I love making borax crystals.
OMG this is really cool! I have a friend who is really talented and creative with jewelry and I am sure she will love this.
Sharing!
It’s beautiful! Who knew you could make something so beautiful out of laundry powder!!
This necklace is so pretty! I’m pinning! I may try to make one soon!
This turned out great! I usually have some Borax in my laundry room so I’m going to have to try this out! Pinning!
How pretty and what a creative idea to use borax for this. Your necklace is such a unique piece!
That makes such a pretty necklace. My boys and I like making borax crystals; they’re so fun and versatile. Pinned.
This is beautiful. Adding this to my list of Things to do! These would make nice gifts.
I had to go back and reread to figure out what a chenille was. I’m assuming you can get these at any craft store, right? Your necklace is so pretty. I actually like that you added color and glitter. Personalizes the piece. How long do these hold up?
Hi Kelli, I used to call them pipe cleaners, but a lot of people now call them chenille stems. And yes, you can get them at the dollar stores and craft stores. These hold up for a long time if handled with care and sealed to prevent moisture erosion. Gail commented that if you color the crystals that sealing will also prevent premature fading of the crystal color.
This is so cool! I want to make some crystals now. This is beautiful!
I never knew it would do that. How cute. Love the pendant. Thanks for hosting this fun hop challenge.
I love making crystals, Erlene and I love your crystal pendant! It looks fabulous! A word of caution about not sealing them though. If you add coloring, they will fade if you don’t seal them. Mine did.
Ahh…thanks for the tip Gail. I’ll make sure to update that in the post.
This is absolutely beautiful! I love your necklace! I want to make one!
Thanks Maria. This is such an addictive craft. I’ve been making a ton of these and still have more growing 🙂