Turning your pins/brooches into necklaces will make them more versatile.  It's easy and fun, using a little imagination and necklaces that you probably already have gathering dust in your jewelry box or dresser drawer.  I have several photos to illustrate various ways to do this.  Sometimes a necklace works better than a pin with an outfit and sometimes you may just prefer a necklace.  A blouse may be too lightweight to support a pin or the neckline may be better for a necklace.  (If you do want to wear a pin with a lightweight shirt or dress, you will find that the pin will anchor better if the blouse or dress is buttoned to the top with the pin attached in the middle or attach the pin to the blouse/dress AND undergarment for more support.) 

I DO NOT recommend using the following techniques with your fine gold, silver, pearls or other expensive necklaces.  You would not want to take the chance of scratching them.  If you want to take extra precautions with your less expensive necklaces, you can use little pieces of felt to buffer the pins as they are attached.        LINDA ROSSHIRT

Photos 1-3 show a long brown natural stone necklace used with two different pins to create different looks.  An exotic face with fur and feathers is attached to one side of the necklace in photo 1.  The pin is fastened between two of the stone beads.  Photo 2 shows a pin attached close to the bottom of the necklace after it is folded.  Secure the clasp around both sides with the pin going between beads.  This type of necklace would also look great with a Western-type pin attached.  Photo 3 shows the back of the pin attached to the doubled necklace.

                      1                                                    2                                     3

A long strand of small purple beads is used (photos 4 & 5) to convert your pin to a short necklace; not quite a choker, but close.  This is a strand of  "Twist Beads" that were so popular in the '80s - and, yes, I still have mine, thank you!)  Take the strand of beads, fold in half and drape around your neck.  You will have a large loop at each end in the front.  Your pin is to be attached to each of these loops, holding the necklace together and making your pin the focal point of a once plain necklace.  This type of necklace could also be knotted at the end (single strand) with a pin attached just above the knot.  (*_*) Now's your chance to be more creative. Try two strands of colors that compliment the pin. OR ... Ribbons and cords can be used in the same way. Cut a long length of ribbon or cord, knot the ends together and then double as you did the necklace. You can place the knots where the pin is attached.

                        4                                                5

Photos 6 & 7 illustrate two ways to use a strand of multi-sized beads with a pin.  The first shows the necklace folded with the pin attached to the two loops in front (as with the purple beads above) and the last shows the pin attached to the folded necklace (as with the brown natural bead necklace).

                        6                                        7

Another strand of small beads, this time a turquoise color, is being used for a silver Western pin (photo 8).  There is a smaller photo inset showing the back.

                       8

A short strand of white opaque glass beads has a pin attached to a short fold at the bottom (photo 9) - great for summer necklines.  The same pin works well attached to the top of a blouse that has been buttoned to the neck.

                       9

Photo 10 shows one way to use your pins with a chain.  Inset photo shows the back of the pin to show how it is attached to the chain.  The short chain here has links large enough to allow a pin to go through.  (AGAIN, I would NOT use an expensive fine gold or silver chain for this.)  The chain is folded at the bottom and the pin is inserted through links on each side.  A longer chain can be doubled (as with the purple beads), wrapped around the neck and have a pin attached to the loops on each side.

                    10

I hope these ideas have started you rummaging through your jewelry boxes to see what treasures you have forgotten.  Experiment with your necklaces to see which would work well with pins attached, grab some cord and ribbon and have fun!  LINDA ROSSHIRT