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wikiHow to Make Plastic Tubing Necklaces

Two Methods:Organize the Work AreaCreate Your NecklaceCommunity Q&A

Whether you are out to make a retro fashion statement or are looking for something out-of-the-ordinary to wear, creating your own unique necklaces from plastic tubing is easy with the right materials and a little inspiration.

Organize the Work Area

  1. 1
    Designate a work area. The right workspace can be the difference between creative genius and total disaster. Identify a large, flat surface that allows you to spread out. Optimally, somewhere like a kitchen table or countertop works best.
  2. 2
    Place items in small dishes. Organize and categorize your materials before you begin to work so you can see what you have.

Create Your Necklace

  1. 1
    Visualize how the necklace will look when you are finished. Instead of haphazardly throwing a bunch of filling into the tube, thinking about how you want the necklace to appear and what look you hope to achieve. Perhaps draw the design on paper.
  2. 2
    Cut the tubing to desired size. This should be done based on personal preference and overall fashion goals.
    • Use other necklaces to help you determine the length of your necklace. While other necklaces won’t lay the same way, using other pieces of jewelry as your guide can give you somewhat of an idea of how long you’d like the tubing to be.
    • Remember that plastic tubing does not lay the same way as chains or pearls so keep that in mind when styling longer necklaces.
  3. 3
    Create the cord end loop if it does not come pre-looped. Slide the thin, metal nail through the top of the cord end with the head portion facing the bottom.
    • Cut the thin metal nail approximately 1 inch (2.5cm) from the top once it’s fully threaded through the cord end. Use wire cutters if your scissors can’t cut through the metal.
    • Bend the metal nail backward and into the top of the cord end so you create a loop.
  4. 4
    Glue the cord end on one side of the plastic tubing. This will provide a barrier at the end and prepare the tube for filling.
    • Allow the glued cord end ample amount of time to dry before filling. If it is still wet, the cord end could become unglued after being filled, creating a mess.
  5. 5
    Fill the necklace with desired pieces. This may take some time as you will want to be neat and tidy when adding glitter or stones.
    • Consider using a small funnel to guide filling neatly into the plastic tubing. If you don’t own a small funnel, simply create one from a piece of paper by rolling it sideways and then placing the smaller end into the top of the tube.
  6. 6
    Close the open end with another cord end. This time you may want to add a clasp. The easiest way to add the clasp is to slide it through the cord end loop as you create it. Before you bend the thin metal nail backwards to create the loop, slide the clasp through the nail and then bend the nail into the loop.
  7. 7

Community Q&A

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    • If you want to fill your necklace with liquid (to create a water and glitter necklace), use a plastic cord end and waterproof sealant to keep the liquid inside.
    • Create matching bracelets, headbands and earrings using plastic tubing.
    • Keep plastic tubing necklaces in a dry, cool area in your home. If you leave them out in the heat or sunlight, the plastic may warp.
    • Consider buying more tubing than you need for one necklace. If you enjoy creating these necklaces you’ll need more tubing.


    • Make sure kids and pets are not involved. Small beads and plastic tubing can pose a choking habit to a curious toddler or, if swallowed by a dog could create an obstruction.

    Things You'll Need

    • ¼ inch plastic tubing
    • Accessories to create the necklace, e.g., cord ends, clasps and loops
    • Filling - no specific rules about what to fill it with, small items that will fit comfortably inside the tubing such as faux jewels, glitter, small beads or small pebbles
    • Supportive materials such as scissors, glue or a needle needed to thread the cord end

    Article Info

    Featured Article

    Categories: Featured Articles | Plastic and Adhesive Projects | Necklace and Choker Projects

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