Industrial Strength Jewelry

My mom, sister, and I have been on a washer necklace making kick lately.

Here’s what you do:

Phase 1 Supplies:
Stamps
Hammer
Washer (we use fender washers)
Hard surface
Hair Spray
Magic Marker
Scissors
Scrapbook paper

You can buy the metal stamps from Harbor Freight Tools for about $5 (here’s a 20% off coupon if you are interested).

Once you have decided on a saying or word for your washer, hold on tight to the stamp and give it one firm and quick swing with the hammer. The wood actually wasn’t hard enough and we ended up moving to the tile floor. Concrete would also work. Once you have the washer punched, color the entire surface with a black magic marker. After the marker has dried, spray with hair spray and wipe off. This will turn the letters black and help them show up.

Then trace the washer onto the paper and cut out.

Phase 2 Supplies:
Sand paper
Glue
Mod Podge

Cover the washer with glue and then set the paper on top. Most likely your cutout will be larger than the actual washer–this is okay. Glue the paper on and wait for it to dry. Once it is dry take your piece of sand paper and smooth off the edges. This will take care of any excess paper and give it a nice finished edge.

Cover with Mod Podge, dry, and repeat as many times as you would like. I like put on think coats of Mod Podge so it gives a bubble or glass look to it. Just make sure you let each layer dry before adding more.

Phase 3 Supplies:
Wire
Beads
Pliers
Closures

Cut the wire to the desired length, add the closures to the ends. Add a bead if, you so chose, to a little piece of wire twisted at the ends.

Fold wire in half, slip through the bead and then through the hole in the washer, and back between both strands to finish it off.

And because you already have everything out, you might as well make a few!

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Tagged as: nikkala