Make your own studded choker with an LED twist! Use these instructions with our kit of parts that comes with all the materials you'll need for a punk style LED collar, or use materials you may already have! Ten juicy diffused red LEDs adorn a high-quality black leather collar that fits necks 12-15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters). Attach the included battery holder and potentiometer, used to adjust the brightness of the LEDs. The simple circuit is powered by a single CR2032 battery. Build one yourself and be the star of your next party or parade!

by Becky Stern

The Punk LED Collar Kit contains (buy the kit or gather your own supplies):

• Leather collar size S/M - (collar measures measures 18" x 1" x 0.1"/457mm x 25mm x 2.74mm)
• 10 x 10mm diffused red LEDs
• Sewable coin cell CR2032 battery holder
• Strip of faux suede fabric to line collar
• 1K trimpot small potentiometer
• Small piece of wire
• 2 x CR2032 coin cell batteries

You'll need some very common electronics tools to make this project:

• Soldering iron and solder
• Wire cutters and wire stripper (or a tool that does both)
• Pliers
• 3rd hand tool or Panavise or some other way to keep your work steady
• A basic multimeter is handy as well
• Fine tip curved tweezers make assembly a breeze

And just a few craft supplies:

• Craft knife or utility blade with cutting-safe mat or surface
• E6000 or similar craft glue
• Ruler
• Marker or pencil

by Becky Stern

Ten LEDs are wired in parallel with a coincell battery and potentiometer. Wire all the (shorter) negative leads to the center lead of the potentiometer, then wire all the (longer) positive LED leads to the positive side of the battery holder. Wire the negative side of the battery holder to the leftmost lead of the potentiometer. The rightmost pin of the potentiometer is not used.

by Becky Stern

Put the collar on and decide where you want the LEDs to be in relation to the buckle (your placement may vary depending on your neck size). Start by measuring and marking the locations for the 10 LEDs along the collar (make marks on the inside surface). Use a ruler and space them just a little less than one inch apart. Use a sharp utility or craft knife on a cutting-safe surface and slice small vertical slits for the LED legs to pierce through.

Make one extra slit at the end of the row, where the potentiometer will go.

by Becky Stern

Solder the last positive LED lead to a piece of wire, then solder the wire to the positive terminal of the battery holder.

Use a little double stick tape or E6000 glue to affix the battery holder in place after soldering.

by Becky Stern

Check your connections using the circuit diagram as a reference, then insert the battery and turn the knob to test the circuit. It will need to be turned all the way on one direction to light up. If your LEDs don't turn on, your battery holder may be connected backwards!

Once you've verified everything's working properly, apply an even layer of E6000 or similar craft glue (not all fabric glues will bond to leather) to the inside surface of the collar where the faux suede will protect and insulate the circuit from your neck.

by Becky Stern

Buckle up and show off your new electro-punk fashion! To clean it, simply remove the battery and wipe with a damp cloth, allowing to dry before re-inserting the battery. Since the battery is exposed, we don't recommend wearing your collar out in the rain unless you take further action to make it water-resistant. The faux suede is made from polyester and so shouldn't hold too much moisture if you're sweating, but take the collar off if you are really sweaty to avoid quickly draining the battery.