How to Make Jewelry From Flattened Pennies

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This post has been a long time coming. At this point, I can’t even recall what inspired me to smash pennies and turn them into jewelry, but something did and here we are. I will walk you through the interesting, not entirely legal process I used. Please note that in no way am I encouraging anyone to break the law, or to go anywhere near railroad tracks. The Midnight Rider controversy is no joke. While cute, this jewelry is not worth dying for, so be smart.

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SUPPLIES:

Pennies or other coins

Clear masking tape

Jump rings

Jewelry Hole punch

jewelry rivets

Vintaj metal paints

Lisa Pavelka Resin Magic Glos

Magic Glos UV Resin, by Lisa Pavelka

Sizzix machine

Butterfly rings Sizzix Die

Media Mixage Triangle Dies

Media Mixage Circle Dies

Vintaj Vogue Stamping Blanks, Triangle 14mm

Your favorite embossing folders

eyelet setter

ear wire

Jewelry pliers (2 pair)

Paint brush or sponge dauber
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
Non-metal bowl
Paper towels

 

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TUTORIAL:

tape-pennies-to-track

This is the sketchy part. SBLC assumes no responsibility for any injuries that may occur. That said, this is also the super fun part. Tape the coins to the railroad track as shown in the photo. Not taping them just means searching needlessly after the train has passed, since they get thrown from their original location during the process. The tape keeps them in place.

pennies-after-flattening

This is what y0u will have when you retrieve your now flattened pennies. Flat, but yucky, right? No problem. To clean the little guys, pour the vinegar into the bowl and stir in salt. Put about 5 pennies into the solution and let them soak for about 10 seconds. Use a toothbrush and running water to remove debris and rinse clean.

how-to-flatten-pennies-for-free

They don’t have to be perfect.

how-to-flatten-pennies

Emboss your pennies and die cut into jewelry shapes. Here i cut the flattened and embossed pennies into circles and attached Vintaj Vogue Stamping Blanks Triangle 14mm using a rivet. Just hole punch the penny circles, insert rivet through triangle and circle, set with eyelet setter and attach jump ring and ear wires. Done!

aa-necklace-circle-triangle

For this pendant, I die cut a ring with the Sizzix butterfly rings die – a favorite die of mine. I cut a triangle with another embossed flattened penny and painted it using vintaj patina paints for metal. Once the paint was dry, I applied Magic Glos UV Resin, by Lisa Pavelka. I love the domed resin look. You can put this in direct sunlight to cure, or cure it in 10 minutes using Lisa Pavelka’s UV light. I went the 10 minute route! It’s been awhile since I used that stuff, and I forgot how fun it is.

upcycled-coin-pendant-jewelry-tutorial

This piece is comprised of a Vintaj metal blank (the background circle) and a flattened penny triangle that I painted with Vintaj Patina. I didn’t seal it. I enjoy the simplicity of the circle/triangle, and love the colors together. After applying the paint, go over the triangle lightly with medium grit sand paper to reveal the raised areas created by embossing previously.

Visit here for more RESIN JEWELRY TUTORIALS

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What do you think? Do you have a less illegal method for flattening pennies? Can your rope your husband into doing it for you, like I did?

You can use any coin, by the way. I just like copper.

I’d love to see what you can do with flattened coins. If you don’t have a die cut machine, you can cut shapes with metal shears or tin snips for your own custom creations! Happy crafting!

More Than 50 DIY Projects to Make From Old Chairs

Over 50 Ways to Recycle Old Chairs FB

If you are planning to ditch that broken or mismatched random chair, I’m here to change your mind. Don’t do it! You won’t regret hoarding chairs and broken chair parts once you browse our collection of over 50 super sweet things you can make from them. Be ready to have your mind blown!


Which project is your favorite? I am super impressed with all of them, and partial to my friend Debi’s imaginative spindle to Christmas ornament upcycle. I’m not surprised. She comes up with some unbelievable DIY projects and shares them on her youtube channel here: Debi’s Design Diary. Not only will you learn how to make awesome stuff from junk, but you will laugh your fanny off as well. Enjoy!
Over 50 Ways to Recycle Old Chairs

Over 50 Things to Make Using Upcycled Dishes

55 Things to make from Recycled Dishes
Are you purging your belongings in the spirit of spring cleaning, or decluttering in general? Well, don’t throw those old mismatched, outdated dishes in the “donate pile just yet! Plates, cups, bowls and pans of all sorts can be repurposed into one-of-a-kind DIY home decor pieces that you can cherish, or give away for unique handmade gifts! Enjoy our updated collection of 55 projects you can make with your old dishes…

 


55 FB Things to make from Recycled Dishes

50 Plus Clothespin Crafts To Make

[pinit]Clothespin Crafts to Make Over 50 Great Tutorials @savedbyloves[pinit]

How have we gone this long without sharing a collection of clothespin crafts? It is a mystery.  Whether you have the one piece wooden peg, or the two piece wood or plastic version held together with a spring, you can use these simple laundry inventions to make some cool stuff.  From home decor, to jewelry, to toys and games for kids, we are all sure to find something we can enjoy in this gallery of things to make from clothespins.

clothespin craft for headphone storage

My personal favorite?  This headphone cord organizer found at Buzzfeed.  

Are you with me on this?

What are your favorite clothespin crafts?  Do you have one we missed?  If so, let us know!

ENJOY!!

Upcycle a Rusty Grate Into a DIY Photo Display

[pinit]Repurpose Photo Display Idea @savedbyloves [pinit]

Today I am happy to share with you this rustic, quick & easy upcycle to display your favorite Instagram photos – all while saving a rusty old grate from a tragic dumpster demise!  This particular grate is from an fire pit that is no longer.  I just couldn’t part with it.  Round objects have a hard time getting away from me since I love the challenge of using them to create unique repurposed wreaths.

Such as this repurposed hubcap wreath

I digress.  Back to the grate.

Upcycled Grate to Photo Display

Here is the old thing.  It has sat on my porch for months, begging for inspiration to strike me.  Along came Susan.

If you haven’t been to Homeroad, you need to remedy that.  Susan is a junker with an eye for upcycling that always inspires.  When I saw her Barrel Strap Photo Holder, I knew what I had to do.

Upcycle home decor DIY rustic decor

Find something old, rusty and round, and you can do it too, within just a few minutes!

How to make a Rustic Photo Holder

Photos

Photos – Use your Instagram photos or other photos and apply a fun vintage filter!

Scrapbook ephemera

I used ATC backgrounds I found at Hobby Lobby in a fun yellow, blue, vintage yet modern, geometric patterned, grungy style.  you know that style, right?

The flowers are from Prima .  I grabbed them at Hobby Lobby, but you can find them with my Amazon link too.

I used silver and white baker’s twine with the intention of clipping the photos with tiny cute clothespins.  While digging through my stash I found the perfect Gator clips from 7 Gypsies.  Their little hook fit perfectly over the rods in the grate.

Easy Photo Display

I threw this piece together in under 10 minutes, and I will cherish it for years to come!

Easy Dollar Store Craft – Rosette Framed Dry Erase Board

[pinit]Easy Dollar Store Rose Soap Framed DIY @savedbyloves
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Last week I showed you a wreath and bouquet made from these pretty Dollar Tree rose soaps.  You get 9 in a package, and at the store where I live the packs are 2 for $1!  I am having a blast gluing these soaps to various things.  Today I will show you how I made this rosette framed dry erase board with them and a few basic supplies.  Wake up your sweetheart with a personalized message and breakfast in bed this Valentine’s Day!

How to Make a Dollar Store Rose Frame

SUPPLIES:

Dollar Store Craft Idea

Dry Erase Board from Dollar Store

Scrap foam board or cardboard large enough to frame the dry erase board

Utility knife

Straight edge and marker

Glue Gun

Dollar Tree rose soaps

TUTORIAL:

DIY Dry Erase Board

Measure and and mark frame dimensions on foam board using straight edge and marker.  I made mine 2 inches wide and the opening to fit the dry erase board (in this case 6×8 inches).  Cut out with utility knife.

DIY Dollar Store Craft

Apply a thin strip of hot glue around the dry erase board foam frame and place your new frame on top of that.

Make a Rosette Frame From Dollar Store Soaps

Simply glue the rosettes in place with a dot of hot glue.  I went with all white this time.  That way I can use it all year round, not just on Valentine’s Day.

How to Make a Dry Erase Board

The roses made the piece to heavy to hang on the fridge with the 2 magnets that came on the back.  I didn’t really mind since I plan to display mine on a shelf.  If you want to have it on your fridge, add more magnet strips to the back.  You can get rolls of adhesive backed magnet at most craft stores.

Make a Dollar Store Valentine's Day Dry Erase Board

If you want more Dollar Store Craft Ideas, visit our 50+ Dollar Store Craft Round-up:

50+ Dollar Store Crafts to Make @savedbyloves

DIY Cardboard Loom and Woven Bracelet Video

How to make a loom woven braided bracelet

Today I am sharing with you a loom woven bracelet video tutorial.  I mentioned it in my Dollar Store Wrapped Bangle Bracelet Tutorial since I was on a mason line bracelet kick.   In the video you will see how to make the loom from a piece of cardboard (yay!! – recycled craft project) and how to use your cardboard loom to make a 7 stranded braid bracelet using mason line.  You can use any cording you want, that is just what I used in the video because I have tons of it and I love the colors. The smaller, multicolored bracelet pictured was made using the exact same technique with embroidery floss in 7 fall shades.

How to Make a Loom From Cardboard and weave your own #friendshipBracelet from it #Jewelry at savedbylovecreations.com #video

SUPPLIES:

Cording (I used this mason line)

Scissors

Cardboard

Small Plate or other circle to trace (about 4 inches in diameter)

Pen or pencil

Lighter to melt end of mason line knot together

How to Make a Loom From Cardboard and weave your own #friendshipBracelet from it #Jewelry at savedbylovecreations.com #video

VIDEO TUTORIAL:

 

 

If you love bracelets, see our 50+ Bracelet Roundup:

 

Upcycle a Suitcase into a Table

Easy and quick tutorial for turning old suitcase into table at savedbylovecreations.com #upcycle #DIY #crafts #repurpose

This project is one of my favorites so far.  It was free, fast, and the outcome is super cool.  The suitcase was given to me by a friend, the table a curbside find.  Check out how I combined them in a repurpose taking less than 20 minutes.

SUPPLIES

Old Suitcase

Table with surface area that fits under suitcase (this only matters if you are using the legs in the same position as they are in the original table)

Pen

2 inch Construction Screws

Drill

Scrap wood cut small enough to fit inside suitcase, big enough to reach all leg contact points (you will put this in the suitcase and screw through it, the suitcase bottom and into the legs)

TUTORIAL

Easy and quick tutorial for turning old suitcase into table at savedbylovecreations.com #upcycle #DIY #crafts #repurpose

The details of your table may vary how you have to go about this, but you can do it.  Had my tabletop fit inside of my suitcase, I would have just put int in there and screwed the tabletop through the bottom of the suitcase into the legs.  Since it didn’t, I used scrap wood I had on hand that happened to fit inside and still cover the leg holes.  If you have a miter saw, a more precise (involved) version of the process can be found in this suitcase to table  tutorial from Stacie at Stars for Streetlights (who planted the idea in my head with her fantastic project).  I am satisfied with my 20 minute version!

Easy and quick tutorial for turning old suitcase into table at savedbylovecreations.com #upcycle #DIY #crafts #repurpose

Do you have any suitcase repurpose ideas or projects to share?  I still have 2 left and would love to hear from you.

Easy and quick tutorial for turning old suitcase into table at savedbylovecreations.com #upcycle #DIY #crafts #repurpose

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