Show off your style and make any outfit shine with this simple neopixel jewel necklace.  Customize the code and design your own light effects, and change it up as often as you like to match different outfits or environments.

This is a wonderful intro project for learning to make things with neopixels and microcontrollers.  Get your kids involved -- they'll love showing off their glowing handmade necklace.  

Materials

Find a pendant with a translucent or transparent center.  The pendant should be at least 2 inches across.  You can add your own diffusion material or find a pendant that works as-is.  

I found this "black lace" pendant at Michael's craft store a few years ago and it's just perfect for this project.

If you don't have anything appropriate on-hand, you can always assemble the light module and take it with you to the craft or bead store.  They will probably wonder what you're up to, but I imagine that if you're reading this guide, you're already used to that.

Remember to get a necklace cord as well if your pendant doesn't come with one.

Electronics

Tools

• A good soldering iron
• Solder
• Wire strippers
• Flush Wire cutters
• Hot glue gun

If you're just starting out and ready to get serious, or if you're tired of using sub-par tools you inherited from your uncle, treat yourself to Lady Ada's Electronics Toolkit.  It's got all the essentials for getting started with electronics.  

A good tool is worth its weight in gold and will save you hours of frustration in the long run.