DIY: Peppermint Statemet Necklace + Target Giveaway

Candy canes remind me of Christmas as a child. My Grandparents would decorate their Christmas trees with them and my mom would tape them to the envelopes of her greeting cards (as if to say sorry you’re not getting a box from me but here’s a lovely greeting card AND a candy cane).  When I see those red and white sugar sticks I think of all the wonderful things associated with the Holidays like cold weather, warm fires, family and friends. That’s why I yell out a big “OH NO HE DIDN’T!” when the Grinch steals that candy cane right out of the sleeping Whos hands.  Don’t take the candy cane!

This DIY project was inspired by the official, unofficial candy of the Christmas season…the candy cane.

Materials: Peppermint Candy*, Wire, Beads, Chain

*It’s important to that your candy is not crystallized because it will break. Not sure the what the different is? Just think… the crystallized peppermints are the ones you pick up at the hostess stand on your way out of a restaurant. Stay away from those. You want the soft peppermints like the ones your Grandma keeps in that glass dish in the living room by the phone. I used the Bob’s Sweet Stripes brand that I purchased from Target.

String your peppermint candy through the wire. If you’re having a hard time stringing the candy, use a big needle to help work the wire through. Or if you have access to a drill with a small bit, drill a hole directly through the candy.

The pattern, style and number of candy pieces you use is totally up to you. Use your imagination and be creative!

To secure your wire to the chain simply slide the wire through the last link, loop it over and wrap it around. Cut off any additional wire.

Dress by Giambattista Valli for Macy’s

Ribbon could also be another alternative to the chain. Also, keep an eye out for the peppermint candy in different colors. You can find them in green, blue, yellow and multi-colored.

This necklace makes for a fun and festive gift as well as the perfect accessory for all those Holiday parties.

Wait there’s more… I’m in the gift giving mood and will be spreading the love with a series of giveaways!  Today’s giveaway is courtesy of TARGET (<–said in my best Oprah voice)!!!!! Yes, today you have the chance to win a $50 gift card to one of my favorite places on earth and the one stop shop for all your Holiday needs. Here’s how it’s works (aka the rules): I’ll ask a question and you answer in the comment section below. It’s that simple.

Question: What’s your favorite kind of candy? 

It doesn’t have to be seasonal candy and there is no right answer. Personally I’m addicted to the watermelon flavored Sour Patch Kids, but I want to hear what kind of candy satisfies your sweet tooth. Leave your answer below. Contest ends tonight at 9pm pst and with the help of a fancy number generating system, a number will be selected. If your answer falls in the comment box that corresponds with the selected number…you’re the winner! Don’t worry if you don’t win today because we’re playing this name for the next 12 days! Each day is a new DIY project, a new prize and a new chance to win.

Good Luck!

UPDATE: 33 was the randomly selected number

Congrats Melita! You won the $50 Target gift card!