Make Jewelry With Legos

If you are already proficient at jewelry making with beads, you will find this project a breeze.

I recently came across this funny definition…

Feet (noun): A device used for finding Legos in the dark 

So true!  However when your feet DO find the Legos, pick them up and put them in them in the bead and jewelry section of your craft room. 

I have a lot of experience at jewelry making and bead stringing and I wanted to combine my beads with the colorful Legos.  My ideas were plentiful; all I needed to do was to “score” some Legos (hopefully NOT with my feet) and learn how to pierce holes in them.

I used a flat piece for the pendant so I can swap out the layers on the top

and change the colors.  I also made coordinating earrings by gluing on an

earring back to a black flat piece then change the look by adding a red layer.

Since I hang around with a bunch of little boys, Legos tend to be a constant part of the “décor” around here.  While the boys are working on their creations, I’m thinking more in terms of creating jewelry out of those colorful little bits of plastic.  I finally gave it a try.

Here is how I did it:

Supplies

• Shallow baking pan (or other metal surface) for your safe work surface.

• Candle – use a votive or jar candle

• #13 or #14 Tapestry Needle (or another type of stout needle)

• Plyers to hold the needle

• Plyers to hold the Lego (a vise or other clamp will work as well but I found the plyers gave me more control and flexibility)

• Rasp or file for smoothing the edges

Determine where you want the holes to be in the Lego and grip it in your non-dominant hand.  With your dominant, hold the needle to the flame.  It doesn’t take long to heat it up. 

Gently touch the hot needle to the plastic and watch as it begins to melt.  Push the needle through and turn it gently to keep the hole round and to achieve the size you desire.  It is a quick process – so do not leave the hot needle on the plastic for too long.  If (not when) you start to smell the burning plastic odor, remove the needle.  If it gets too hot, it will discolor.

The Lego will cool rather quickly and the hole will probably be a little bumpy.  Use a rasp to gently smooth the rough edge.  In a pinch, an emery board will probably be sufficient; give it a try if you don’t have a suitable rasp.

Your Legos are now ready to string!

I’ve had lots of fun comments from the adults but the little boys really LOVE my new jewelry.  A few of them were actually jealous and asked if I would make them something – but more “manly” and they want to incorporate the minifigures.  When I asked them to bring me the figures they wanted to use, not a one of them would give any up.  I guess I will be off to the Lego store to procure some minifigures and surprise them.  Considering I’m always preaching non-violence to these children I don’t think I can bring myself to pierce the heads of the minifigures with a hot needle.  It just seems so wrong.  So I think I will probably wire them up somehow and make a pendant necklace.  Check back, I’ll post the results.