Make a Stamped Pendant from a Washer

Happy groundhogs day! Apparently, the pesky beast did not see his shadow this morning and so predicts an early spring. I sure hope he is correct. We have had way to much snow, sleet and ice in DC this year.

Before: Copper Washers

Today we made a stamped pendant from a copper washer. We stamped the pendant "FYEO" (text speak meaning "for your eyes only" for those of you who do not speak text messaging). The pendant is part of the One World One Heart 2011 Giveaway so click the link to enter for your chance to win this or another custom stamped pendant with the lettering of your choice.

After: Stamped Pendant by GeltDesigns.com

Materials
Copper washer
18 gauge round brass wire
Liver of sulfur


Tools
Wet/dry sandpaper
Dapping block and 1 lb brass hammer
Steel block 
1.5mm alphabet stamps
16 oz. brass hammer
Wire looping pliers
Wire cutter
Flex shaft and 15-gauge cup bur


Step 1
Clean and prepare the copper washer. Sand away tool marks, if any.

Step 2

Form the copper washer

Form the washer. Place the washer in the dapping block. Select the appropriate dap. Place the dap on top of the washer in the block. Strike the dap with the hammer to form. Brass hammers are preferred as they prolong the life of your tools, but any hammer can be used.

Washers before & after forming

Repeat as needed until you get the depth of curve you like for the pendant.

Step 3
Mark the washer where you want to stamp the lettering. Select the letters. Place the copper washer on a steel bench block. Use a hammer to stamp the letters one letter at a time where you marked the washer.

Step 4
Use liver of sulfur to highlight the lettering. Paint the prepared liver of sulfur into the stamped letters. Use high grit sandpaper to remove the excess liver of sulfur.

Make 2 loops

Step 5

"S" link with 2 loops

Make and attach the finding. Use pliers to create an "S" link from 18-gauge brass wire but wrap two adjacent loops on one side of the link.

Cut the excess wire. File the ends until smooth.

Open loops

Use your pliers to pry apart the two adjacent loops.

Adjust bail

Open the lower jump ring and attach the bail to the pendant.

Adjust spacing as needed so the bail allows the pendant to hang evenly.

Pendant signed "Gelt" by GeltDesigns.com

 Open the lower jump ring and attach the bail to the pendant.

Step 6
Sign the piece. We stamped the pendant with our signature: "Gelt"

Related Tutorials
Make a Three Strand Bracelet from Copper Washers
Make a Bib Necklace from Washers

Further Reading 
"Stamped Metal Jewelry: Creative Techniques and Designs for Making Custom Jewelry"; Lisa Niven Kelly; 2010.
"Making Metal Jewelry: Projects, Techniques, Inspiration"; Joanna Gollberg; 2006.

Day 74.  Month 4. Jewelry from Found Objects.  $ spent to date: 0
Found materials: copper washer
New Jewelry a Day.

Remember, today's project is a door prize. Stop by our blog post about One World One Heart 2011 Giveaway to enter.

One World One Heart 2011 Giveaway

Welcome. Some of you may be new to NJAD and are visiting via One World One Heart, an opportunity for bloggers worldwide to  meet and mingle. Since we are only in month four of our year long adventure, this is NJAD's first year participating, but it is the fifth and final year of OWOH hosted by Lisa at A Whimsical Bohemian. You can read more about OWOH and find the giveaway rules here.
My daughter and I began NJAD in November with the goal of making a new piece of jewelry every day from found objects and share our projects with others via our blog in a “how to” format. Our self-imposed rules require that we (1) spend little or no money on our NJAD jewelry projects, (2) use up stuff we already have or can find in the trash or recycling can and (3) blog about it everyday.

OWOH Door Prize, Pendant by GeltDesigns.com

As part of OWOH, my daughter and I are giving away a door prize on February 17th. The lucky winner will enjoy a copper and brass pendant stamped "FYEO" (text speak meaning "for your eyes only") or any other custom stamp up to six English letters (1.5mm each) long. (Sorry we do not own stamps in letters other than English).

Back of Pendant Signed Gelt

The FYEO pendant was handmade in our Washington, DC studio from a copper washer and brass wire and is signed "Gelt" on the back. We explained how to make the pendant in this NJAD blog post.

Anyone can win. To enter, leave a comment in the comments section below along with a way for us to contact you should you win. The FYEO pendant is ready to ship. Allow a day or two before shipping to make the pendant if the lucky winner wants a custom stamped design.

Related Post
Make a Stamped Pendant from a Washer

Make Wine Cup Earrings

Before: Toy Wine Cups

These little wine cups are of undetermined origin. We found them in the basement when we were sorting out the toy box. My daughter thinks they once belonged to her Fisher-Price dollhouse set. My sons think they were from a LEGO® set gifted to them from their cousins. The DH has no idea and contributes to the debate by shaking his head and muttering about all the money spent on no longer loved toys.

Bottom line: I have no idea where these little yellow wine goblets came from... but there are two of them. They match ...and we all agreed they would make fun, very cute earrings.

After: Earrings by GeltDesigns.com

Materials
2 matching toy wine goblets
20-gauge round wire in brass, copper, sterling silver, silver plate, silver colored or gold filled

Tools
Nylon jaw pliers
Chain nose pliers
Needle files (optional)
Round nose pliers or

Gather your tools

Wire looping pliers
Wire cutters
Ear wire jig or WigJig
Flex shaft and 19 gauge cup bur or wire rounder
Plastic mallet

Step 1
Use your nylon jaw pliers to straighten and harden the 20-gauge round wire.

Feed wire; make loop.

Step 2
Feed the wire through a plastic toy wine glass. Make a small loop at the end of the wire.

Step 3
Make a loop at the top of the wine glass. Wrap the wire three times to secure the loop. Use a needle file or your chain nose pliers to file the end of the wire smooth.
Step 4
Make a second wire wrapped loop at the end of the wire and connect the two loops together. Again, wrap the wire three times to secure the loop.

Step 5
Place the second of the two wire wrapped loops on the ear wire jig. Wrap the wire to create the ear wire finding. Cut the wire at the peg.

Step 6
Remove the ear wire from the jig. Bend the wire at the end of the finding so it is parallel with the loop.

Step 7
Hit the ear wire with the plastic mallet to harden the wire and ensure it retains its shape when handled, used and worn. Adjust the wire with your pliers, if needed, to ensure the best shape for your finding.

Make second earrings

Step 8
File the end of the ear wire so it is smooth and comfortable when worn.


Step 9
Repeat to create matching earring.


Related Tutorials
Make Earrings from an iTunes Gift Card
How to Straighten Wire
How to Measure Wire
How to Use a Wire Gauge 
How to Make an Ear Wire Jig  
How to Use a Flex Shaft to Make Jewelry 
How to Smooth Sharp Wire Edges 

Further Reading
"30-Minute Earrings: 60 Quick & Creative Projects for Jewelers"; Marthe Le Van; 2010.
"500 Earrings: New Directions in Contemporary Jewelry (500 Series)"; Lark; 2007.

Day 73.  Month 4. Jewelry from Found Objects.  $ spent to date: 0
Found materials: toys
New Jewelry a Day.

Make a Bracelet from a Handle

Before: Plastic Handle

Sometimes ideas come easy. At other times, creative energy is hard to find. The other day when I was bringing in DH's dry cleaning and I removed the handle from the box of dress shirts, I knew I found a perfect item to repurpose into a bangle bracelet.

My daughter and I played with a lot of ideas. We thought about weaving satin, cloth, imitation leather or suede through the holes or adding beads to embellish. We played with different styles of clasps. In the end, we decided simple was better and more striking.

Tools
Automatic center punch or center punch
Drill 
Size 41 drill bit

After: Bracelet by GeltDesigns.com

Materials
Handle
Sterling silver "S" clasp

Step 1
Remove the 7-inch handle from the box and wash it.

Step 2
Use an automatic center punch to mark where you want to drill holes to attach the finding. Drill a hole where you marked the plastic.

We drilled the holes in the center of the end pieces, but you may want to adjust the location of the holes depending on the finding you use.

After: Bracelet by GeltDesign

Step 3

Add the handmade or commercial finding. Test to be sure the finding will stay secure on one side but can slip in  and out of the other side rather easily when putting on or taking off the cuff bracelet.


Related Tutorials
How to Make a Simple "S" Clasp 
Make a Cuff Bracelet from a Plastic Bottle

Further Reading
"500 Bracelets: An Inspiring Collection of Extraordinary Designs (500 Series)"; Lark; 2005.
"EveryDay Upcycle: 101 Scrap Crafts and Repurpose Projects"

Day 72.  Month 3. Jewelry from Found Objects.  $ spent to date: 0
Found materials: plastic handle
New Jewelry a Day.

Make Hex Nut Earrings

Before: Hex Nuts

Hardware comes in many interesting shapes and sizes. The hardware store is a great source for inexpensive, often colorful materials to use in jewelry making.

We had another busy weekend but we found time to make a set of simple earrings using stray stainless steel hex nuts leftover from a long finished remodeling project. We liked the combination of silver and blue in these simple, easy to make earrings.

Spool of blue suede

Materials
2 stainless steel hex nuts
2 surgical steel hypoallergenic fish hook earring findings
Blue suede or other stringing materials

After: Earring by GeltDesigns.com

Tools
Scissors


Step 1
Select the hex nuts.


Step 2
Cut about five inches of blue suede or the stringing material of your choice.


Step 3
Fold the suede in half and then make a square knot about midway to make a loop at the top of the suede.

Step 4
Slide the hex nut over the loop so the hex nut sits on top of the knot.

Step 5
Add an earring finding to the loop.

Step 6
Repeat to create the matching earring.

Related Tutorials
Make Earrings from Grommets
Make a Bracelet from Grommets
Make a Three Strand Bracelet from Copper Washers
Make a Bib Necklace from Washers  

Further Reading
"Making Designer Jewelry from Hardware, Gems, and Beads": Nicole Noelle Sherman; 2008.
"Hardwear: Jewelry from a Toolbox"; Hannah Rogge; 2006.


Day 71.  Month 3. Jewelry from Found Objects.  $ spent to date: 0
Found materials: hex nuts
New Jewelry a Day.