Who needs to buy an expensive necklace? With an odds’n’ends box and minimal cost, anyone can transform junk into jewellery. Hsieh Nizhen shows how

This is my favourite piece: ‘Art Fracto’ (a marriage of the words ‘art deco’ and ‘fractal’) because of its boldly delineated geometric shapes.

1 Set aside that old, clasped-chain necklace (sans pendant) you’ve left to tarnish in your jewellery box. You’ll need it later.
2 Start with the centrepiece. This thin, delicate, polystyrene honeycomb is actually part of a larger bracelet (which got ripped apart by my cat) bought from Nervous System. It has inspired me to do a series incorporating this amoeboid-inspired design, so I’ve traced it as a template for future use. You can easily consult Google for a cool fractal image and use felt available at Spotlight (Level 5, Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd; 6733 9808, www.spotlight.com.sg) or even acrylic from Art Friend (#03-33, Blk 231 Bain St; 6336 8338, www.artfriend.com.sg) to make the centrepiece.
3 Depending on which beads you’ve decided should flank the centrepiece, cut two stainless-steel beading wires to the desired length and add between 3 and 5cm to each so you have enough wire left over to attach to the chain necklace. I used a combination of ruby stones (given by an aunt), bone and wooden beads from a market in Kerala. But if you don’t have a generous relative or a ticket to India, another great source of tools and materials is N Craft (Tudor Court, 131E Tanglin Rd; 6737 9045, www.ncraftroom.com).
4 String the beads on the wires.
5 To secure them in place, use basemetal crimping beads and flat-nose pliers (also available at N Craft) to crimp one end of each wire. Loop the other ends around the centrepiece and crimp them down.
6 Cut the chain necklace exactly in half. With jump rings (circular metal links) attach the beaded wires to both ends of the chain lengths, completing the necklace.
7Finally, clasp it around your neck, let that honeycomb nestle in your cleavage, and flaunt.