Diffuser necklaces are one of my favorite ways to enjoy the benefits of essential oils. I have several necklaces that I’ve purchased, but recently I decided to try making a few DIY additions to my collection. This project is super easy and can be customized to fit your unique sense of style.
Supplies
- Lava beads: The lava beads are what will diffuse the scent of your oil. Black lava beads are easy to find at pretty much any craft store, but the colored ones are a little trickier. The ones I’m using for this project are part of a multicolored strand from Bead Nova. The 10 mm size is easy to work with and all the different colors mix and match really well.
- Focal bead: The metal beads I used were in my craft stash from years ago. Anything with a similar size or shape would work. I think wood beads would be really pretty if you like jewelry with more of a rustic look.
- Washer: I stole these from hubby’s toolbox in the basement, but you can buy them dirt cheap at them at the hardware store if you need to.
- Faux suede cord: This cord is awesome for diffuser necklaces because it complements the natural look of the lava beads. Also, if you add a drop of oil to the cord, it will hold the scent almost as well as your lava beads. The cord I used is from Bead Nova. It comes in four different colors and with four free necklace extenders. This is enough to make at least eight diffuser necklaces, maybe more.
- Alcohol ink: I love all the pretty colors in the Ranger brand. I had the best results using two colors per washer–one light and one dark.
- Felt: You’ll use the felt as a stamp pad for your alcohol ink, so you need a scrap that’s slightly bigger than your washer. It doesn’t matter what color.
- Clear nail polish: This is to seal your finished washer.
- Newspaper and rubber gloves: Alcohol ink is messy, so I’d suggest being careful not to mess up your workspace.
Instructions
- Lay newspaper on your work surface and put on the rubber gloves. Put your washer face down on the paper.
- Drop two to four drops of each color of alcohol ink on your felt square. Gently stamp the colors on the washer. They should blend together to create a soft watercolor effect.
- When the alcohol ink is dry, apply a coat of clear nail polish to the washer to seal it. This will make your colors run together a bit, but that should only add to the pretty pattern you’ve created. (Alternatively, you could try using a clear acrylic sealer if you have one on hand. Since I’m all about saving money, I try to craft with what I have available!)
- Tie the washer to your necklace. Hold your cord so that each end is even and make a loop in the middle. Thread this loop through the center of the washer, then wrap the two ends around the washer before threading them through the loop.
- Add your focal bead.
- Add three lava beads to each side of the focal bead. I used three different coordinating colors to pick up the tones in my washer.
- Add a knot to close the ends of your necklace. I made an adjustable sliding knot for my necklaces so I could wear them with several different shirts in my wardrobe. There’s a great tutorial for this type of knot over at Jewelry Making Journal. I’d suggest that you practice on some old yarn until you have it figured out since it took me a few tries to get the hang of it.
- Add a drop or two of essential oil to your lava beads. Let the oils absorb a minute or two to avoid staining your clothes, then enjoy your pretty new necklace.
Essential Oil Suggestions
You can use whatever essential oils you’d like on your new diffuser necklace, but I’m a fan of peppermint for keeping headaches under control and lavender for stress relief.