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.

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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!

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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!

Upcycle Coffee Sleeves into Gorgeous Jewelry

How to Make Gorgeous Jewelry From Coffee Sleeves @savedbyloves

Today I am sharing with you this great coffee sleeve upcycle. With the amount of coffee I drink, the sleeves were starting to pile up. I saved them, knowing one day, inspiration would strike and I would repurpose them. The idea to create jewelry from them came to me over the weekend as I was sorting through my Sizzix dies. These are easily customizable to coordinate with any style. Follow along and make your very own!

SUPPLIES:

upcycled jewelry tutorial

Coffee Sleeves

Acrylic Paint (I used Distress Paint)

Asymmetric Rings Sizzix Die

Butterfly and Rings Sizzix Die

Mod Podge Antique

Non-Stick Craft Mat

Markers to coordinate with paint(I used Distress Marker – Vintage Photo)

Jump rings

Toggle clasp

Ear wires

2 pairs of jewelry pliers

INSTRUCTIONS:

2 Repurpose jewelry

Unfold coffee sleeve.

3 Upcycled Jewelry Tutorial

Randomly apply your favorite acrylic paint colors.

4 Jewelry Making Tutorial

I went for a warm and cool color range.

5 DIY Jewelry

Once paint is dry, cut out rings with sizzix as shown. If you don’t have a sizzix, you can cut by hand, or use paper punches.

6 How to Seal Paper Jewelry

Seal pieces for durability. I dipped them in Mod Podge antique finish.

7 Upcycled Jewelry Ideas

Brush away excess Mod Podge and let dry.

Distress Paper Edges

Mark around the inner and outer edges of the rings. On the left is before marking, the two on the right have been marked around the edges.

9 Attach rings with jump rings

Use various jump rings to attach rings for earrings and bracelets as shown.

Upcycled Earrings from Coffee Sleeves

How to Make Cardboard Jewelry

Jewelry from Coffee Sleeves

I am in love with these pieces! Super easy and cheap to make. You could also use the die cut coffee sleeve shapes in your mixed media art.

Instagram DIY Project Tutorials 50 Plus

Over 50 DIY Instagram Projects to Make Updated Square @savedbyloves

It has been awhile since we shared our favorite 50+ Instagram crafts. We decided to update it with the latest projects to make with your favorite photos. Click the photo above or the link below for the collection. Enjoy!

Instagram Crafts

Easily Make Gorgeous Epoxy Clay Crystal Jewelry

How to Make Gorgeous Epoxy Clay Crystal Jewelry Square @savedbyloves

I went to CHA 2014 in Anaheim California, where epoxy clay jewelry was all the rage. I didn’t see what was so great about it, or why I would use it instead of polymer clay. It took me almost two years to get on board. Now I am a full fledge fanatic. The stuff is wonderful for embedding crystals and other small embellishments, since it is a strong adhesive. No glue is necessary, nor does it need to go in the oven. Once you mix the two parts, it starts to set and cures on its own without heat. Today I am sharing these gorgeous, blingy earring and pendant sets! My friend created hers and has zero experience with jewelry making or clay of any kind.  They came out beautifully, proving no prior knowledge is necessary!

DIY Easy Epoxy Clay Crystal Jewelry

SUPPLIES:

Supplies for Epoxy Clay Earrings

Epoxy Jewelry Clay (we used Silver Crystal Clay)

Beeswax coated toothpick (comes with Crystal Clay Kit) or my favorite tool for picking up small beads and embellishments, Crystal Katana

Crystal Chatons or flat backed Swarovski

Round Pendant Bezels

Ear wire or 20-22 gauge jewelry wire to create your own ear wire

Two pair flat nose jewelry pliers

Jump rings

Rattan cord or other necklace chain

Vinyl or latex protective gloves

INSTRUCTIONS:

Supplies for Epoxy Clay Jewelry

Mix clay according to instructions, equal parts of the two components and wearing gloves.

Embed Crystal Chatons into Epoxy Clay copy

Fill bezel flush with top.

Embed Crystals into Epoxy Clay

Add crystals in desired design with tool.

DIY Copper Crystal Epoxy Clay Earrings

Once cured (overnight) add ear wires with jewelry pliers and add chain or cord to pendant.

DIY Epoxy Clay Crystal Jewelry

Don’t they look so complicated, fancy and expensive?! Well, they aren’t. Your dog could probably make them.

DIY Easy Epoxy Clay Crystal Jewelry

I have gotten so many compliments already!

How to Make Gorgeous Epoxy Clay Crystal Jewelry @savedbyloves

Check out our other jewelry projects here:

Saved By Love Creations Jewelry Tutorials

Epoxy Clay DIY Patriotic Filigree Earrings

DIY Epoxy Resin Filigree Patriotic Earrings

DIY patriotic jewelry is a tradition here at Saved By Love Creations! For this pair I combined my newest obsession – epoxy clay – with metal filigree, to create these lovely, star spangled pieces. This project is super easy, so lets get started.

DIY Patriotic Earrings @savedbyloves

Supplies:

Epoxy Resin Mold

Martha Stewart Silicone Star Mold

Epoxy Clay (Martha Stewart shown here)

Metal Filigree

Ear wires

Metal Chain

Jump rings

Charms

Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Powder

White Embossing Powder

Heat tool or Melting Pot

Red Acrylic Paint (I used Vintaj Patina)

Antiquing Glaze

Small Paint Brush

Paper Towel

Latex gloves

Two pairs of jewelry pliers (flat or needle nose)

Instructions:

Silicone Resin Mold

Make the Stars

Mix equal parts of the epoxy clay per instructions, with gloved hands. Here I used Martha Stewart’s clay. I also like Crystal Clay and Envirotex Epoxy Clay.

Press Clay into silicone mold, making sure to push it down into the corners of the stars. Smooth out back of star with wet fingertip to avoid fingerprints.

Let the stars cure overnight, and paint as desired with acrylic paint. I left the blue stars as is, and for the red, I used the Vintaj Patina in red. I antiqued all of the stars with antiquing medium, applying it with a paintbrush and wiping it away with a paper towel while still wet.

Color the Filigree

Use red and white embossing powder to coat the filigree as shown in this Vintaj video:

Epoxy Resin Jewelry Tutorial

Adhere stars to colored filigree with a small amount of epoxy clay or strong jewelry glue.

Easy Epoxy Clay Jewelry DIY Patriotic Earrings @savedbyloves

Attach ear wires and charms and you are set!

Easy Epoxy Clay Jewelry DIY Patriotic Earrings @savedbyloves Pin

Remember Patriotic Earrings from prior years:

Cut Wine Bottle Bracelets

Create Bracelet From Wine Bottle Glass

Your friends will be amazed when you tell them these bracelets use to be wine bottles!  This project involves cutting glass and firing in a kiln, but you could do a version without the kiln too.  Use rub on transfers and alcohol inks to create a piece of wearable art!

MATERIALS

-glass bottle label removing and cleaning supplies (see techniques)

-glass bottle cutting supplies (see techniques)

-stainless steel measuring cup

-kiln

-kiln wash

-glass drilling supplies

-jewelry chain

-jump rings

-toggle clasp

-two pairs of jewelry pliers; flat and or needle nosed

-alcohol inks and felt pad applicator

-non stick craft sheet

-rub on transfers

-beads and charms for embellishing as desired

-permanent marker

 DIRECTIONS

 1.  Cut a ring from your chosen bottle (See How to Cut Wine Bottles)

Make jewelry from wine bottles

Wine Bottle Bracelets 3

2.  Carefully score ring with glass cutter and tap to break score, leaving you with a half circle.  Score this to the size you would like your bracelet to be, about 2.5 inches.

 Wine Bottle Bracelets 4

3.  Place bracelet piece on kiln washed stainless steel mold or measuring cup as shown and fire to full fuse (see techniques).

Wine Bottle Bracelets 5

4.  Once the bracelet is cool, remove it from the kiln.  Mark for placement of holes where chain will be attached with a jump ring.

Wine Bottle Bracelets 6

5.  Drill the holes using small diamond bits (see How to Drill Holes in Glass).  I use this diamond tipped micro engraving drill bit kit for my small holes.

Wine Bottle Bracelets 7

6.  Begin drilling at the mark, coming in at an angle to start your hole, then moving to 90 degrees as described in the techiques.  Make sure to cool the drill bit in water every 30 seconds or so to prevent glass from shattering due to heat.

Wine Bottle Bracelets 10

7.  Apply rub on transfer per instructions to the front surface of the bracelet.

Wine Bottle Bracelets 12

8.  Use felt applicator or brush to apply alcohol inks to back surface of bracelet.

 Wine Bottle Bracelets 14

9.  Open jump ring using two sets of pliers to twist each end in opposite directions.  Do not pull ends apart to open, rather twist open as shown.

10.  Attach the appropriate length of chain to get desired bracelet length and close jump ring by twisting ends back together.  Keep in mind the closure will add about ½ inch to the length of the bracelet.

Wine Bottle Bracelets 15

11.  To finish, attach toggle clasp ring to one end and bar to the other, using a jump ring for each.

 Bracelet on Fire

EXTRA TIPS

○ Create custom bracelets, earrings and pendants using this technique.  Use blank rub on transfer paper made for inkjets to transfer your own designs to your recycled glass jewelry!

Easy Silkscreen Polymer Clay Jewelry Tutorial #ScupleyProjects

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How to Make Polymer Clay Jewelry[pinit]

I haven’t had my hands on clay for way too long.  The new Silkscreen Kit from Premo Clay was the perfect way to jump back into the medium.  If you haven’t experimented with polymer clay, stop reading this and go find some.  You will be amazed at the gorgeous pieces you can make right off the bat, from jewelry to home decor and more.  It is a medium that is very forgiving, versatile, and doesn’t require a bunch of expensive tools and equipment to get started.  Today I will show you how I made a lovely necklace, bracelet and pair of earrings that I kinda love a bunch.  You can make your own art jewelry with just a few simple supplies.  Let’s get started!

Premo Clay Jewelry Tutorial

SUPPLIES:

Polymer Clay Silkscreen Kit #SculpeyProjects

Premo Clay and Silkscreen Kit

Jump rings

2 Pairs of flat nose jewelry pliers

Toggle clasp

Earring findings

Necklace chain

Gold paint marker

Cookie cutters in circles and ovals

Bead reamer or toothpicks

Oven

Ceramic tile or flat baking pan dedicated to clay

Rolling pin or smooth bottle or glass

Protective gloves (these are optional but great for keeping clay fingerprint free)

TUTORIAL:

How to mix polymer clay colors

I began by mixing blue clay with pearly white to get my desired color.  Just twist the colors together as shown.  Continue twisting and kneading clay in your hands to mix the colors and warm/condition the clay.  Conditioning is essential when beginning any clay project.  It ensures the components of the clay are evenly distributed and the clay is soft and shapable.  This clay was super easy to condition.  I have worked with clay that is hard and brittle and takes forever to warm up, but this Premo was great!  Continue until the clay is the color and shade you want.

How to condition polymer clay

I used my Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine to get a flat even sheet.  This costs about $20 and is well worth the investment if you are going to create with clay more than a couple of times.  You can also use a smooth glass, rolling pin or bottle to smooth the clay out on a bake-able surface.  I like to use tiles I pick up at Habitat Restore for a dime.  I have tons of them on hand for just this purpose.  Once the clay is rolled out, you don’t want to have to move it, as it will become distorted and uneven until it is baked and therefore hardened.  Having it on a surface you can just stick in the oven is super handy.

Premo Polymer Clay Silkscreen Kit #SculpeyProjects

The kit comes with silver metallic paint, gold metallic paint, 4 reusable screens (totaling 2 large single patterns and 12 mini patterns) and a squeegee.  Aren’t the designs so fun?!

How to silkscreen

Premo Polymer Clay Silkscreen Kit Jewelry Tutorial #SculpeyProjects

I choose my design, placed a thin line of gold paint, and used the squeegee to pull the color across the screen, lightly so as not to indent the clay.

How to Make Polymer Clay Silkscreen Jewelry

Here is what it looked like after the first try!  So easy and pretty.

TIP:  Make sure to immediately was the screen and squeegee so the paint doesn’t dry on them.  You want to reuse them for as long as possible!

How to Cut Shapes in Clay

TIP:  Spray armor-all onto the cookie cutter inner and outer edge so that the clay won’t stick to it and come up off the surface when you lift the cutter away after cutting.

Easy Free Polymer Clay Jewelry Tutorials

Choose an area and a cookie cutter and press it into the clay to cut shapes.  I used circles large and medium for the pendant an earrings.  For the bracelet I used a small oval cutter.

Pull the “scrap clay” away from the cut shapes and set aside.  You can recondition it and reuse it, even if it has paint on it.  Just mix it in by conditioning it with your hands or pasta machine.

How to attach clay pieces

To create holes for jump rings in your pieces, you can use a toothpick while the clay is still raw, or use a bead reamer or drill after baking the clay.  Manipulating the clay while raw always carries the risk of distorting it, so I usually wait until it is baked before creating holes.  For this project I went ahead and made the holes while the clay was raw since I was going for an organic, imperfect feel.

How to seal polymer clay

I baked my pieces at 260 for 45 minutes and let them cool.  I painted the edges and back with a gold paint marker and sealed the pieces with Matte Mod Podge after the paint dried.Polymer Clay Silkscreen Earrings DIY

I used 2o gauge gold wire to create jump rings, earring findings and a toggle clasp for my finished pieces.  You can save money and get a unique look to your pieces by making your own findings, or purchase pre made findings.

DIY Polymer Clay Easy Bracelet Tutorial

This new kit from Premo has ignited my clay jewelry flame once again!  I have made several more pieces that you will be seeing in the future.  I hope you are inspired to try some clay projects.  It is so easy, inexpensive and you will be amazed at the gorgeous projects you can make from the get go.

For more clay inspiration and product updates, follow Premo Clay on FacebookTwitterPinterest, and Instagram!

 

Disclosure: I received product and compensation from Polyform and Blueprint Social in exchange for my campaign.  All opinions are honest and mine, as always!

Check out what other bloggers have been up to using Premo Clay Jewelry Products!

Over 50 DIY Projects Using Old Maps

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50 Best DIY Projects to Make Using Old Maps @savedbyloves[pinit]

Do you love old maps?  Well if so, today’s round-up is going to make you dance and celebrate.  If not that, you will at least find some inspiration in super cool things to make with old maps.  Here is a collection of over 50 of the best projects “on the map”!  Enjoy, and as always, if you have a tutorial you would like included in the collection, send me the link for consideration.


Make Geometric Modern Jewelry With Balsa Wood

Wooden jewelrymaking Tutorial @savedbyloves

 

Have you ever wondered what you could do with balsa wood?  I mean besides kid school projects?  I inherited a stack of the stuff and it has been stowed away for years, waiting for me to be struck with inspiration.  I saw these cool, modern DIY jewelry pieces from Infinity Blend and now I can’t wait to get started!  You don’t have to have special power tools with this wood, just a craft knife and tiny screw driver you would use on your eyeglasses.

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Make DIY Jewelry With Balsa Wood @savedbyloves

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Click on the image above for the full tutorial, or go HERE:

How to make handmade wooden jewelry with simple tools

Be sure and thank Maria for sharing with SBLC!

Be sure and check out our other jewelry tutorials here at Saved By Love Creations!

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Make a DIY Terrarium Necklace

[pinit]DIY Terrarium Necklace Tutorial using Tim Holtz Corked Cloche @savedbyloves[pinit]

This tiny little treasure is easy to make and takes just minutes.  I found a new to me product from Tim Holtz called Corked Domes and knew immediately that I would be making a terrarium pendant with them.  There is glass drilling required, but do not fear.  You can do it, no problem.  I will help you and you will be a pro in no time.  I am warning you now that I used fake plants to make my terrarium.  You can use live plants.  It is way hipper if they are alive, but I have a tendency not to water things, so I went plastic.  If you are honest and you don’t have a PhD in succulentology, you’ve gotta give me that they look like the real deal.

SUPPLIES:

Rotary tool (I use Bead Landing Rotary Tool

Diamond Drill Bits

Tim Holtz Corked Domes

Small container of water and lint free towel

Hot glue/glue gun or Flora Bond if using live plants

Necklace Tutorial

Moss, small stones, mushrooms and whatever you want in your dome

Succulents (live or fake) – I got my fake succulents at Michael’s

20 Gauge copper wire or eye pin

Round Nose jewelry pliers

Flat nose jewelry pliers

Needle nose pliers

 Flush wire cutters

Chain or cord for hanging your pendant

DIY Terrarium Necklace

TUTORIAL:

First you need to drill a hole in the top of your dome for a place to insert wire for hanging the pendant.  Follow the detailed instructions I showed you in this tutorial:  Mason Jar Chimes Tutorial and Drilling in Glass.

NOTE:  These glass domes are very thin.  I tried drilling the hole using my dremel and shattered the first dome I attempted.  I like the rotary tool used in the tutorial linked above because it is way fewer RPMs than my dremel and it has adjustable speed.  Many people swear by their Dremels for drilling glass.  I find my rotary tool way easier and I have success 99% of the time with it.

Make a pendant bail

Either use an eye pin (pictured) or cut a lenght of wire about 4 inches and create a loop in one end with your round nose pliers.

How to Wire Wrap

Insert wire through Dome hole so that loop is on inside, then use flat nose pliers to bend wire to 90° about 1/8-1/4 inch above where it exits the top of the dome.

Jewelry Making Tutorial Terrarium Necklace

Use round nose pliers to grab the a few mm past the bend.  With your free hand, grab the wire end and wrap wire around the pliers to form a loop.  (That gunk on the round nose pliers is Tool Magic – it coats your jewelry making tools so they don’t leave scratches and dents in soft wire).

Handmade Jewelry Tutorial Saved By Love Creations

Wrap the remaining wire starting at the base of the loop down to the top of the dome.  Trim off excess wire with flush cutters and tuck in the end with needle nose pliers.  Now you have your wire bail for hanging your pendant!

Necklace Tutorial

Lay out your goodies and start gluing things into place on the cork.  Flora Bond works with live plants and won’t kill them!  I used hot glue since mine are artificial.

How to make your own jewelry

Once you have everything in place, add the dome and string your chain.  You are now super cool…

How to make a Terrarium Necklace

These would be cute as keychains too.  If you go crazy and your junk won’t fit in the dome, just tear some off and patch up any glue spots showing with moss.  Play around until you are satisfied with how it looks.

Remember last year when I showed you how to make bigger terrariums?

How about our 50+ DIY Terrariums and Creative Planters?

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