Things You'll Need:
- Pin backs
- Item for pin front
- Craft or jewelry glue
- Snips (optional)
- Pliers (optional)
- File or sandpaper (optional)
- Paint or paint pens (optional)
- Miscellaneous extras
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Step 1
Decide on your pin front. You can choose from a broken piece of existing jewelry, clay, cut metal, part of old silverware, a decorative rock or shell, or just about anything else that is fairly lightweight and has a flat enough back to glue to a pin back.
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Step 2
Get your pin back and glue. Pin backs, too, come in several options. Visit the craft or jewelry supply store and pick one that suits you best. Straight pin posts with butterfly pinch clips are probably the most expensive but most durable option. Others include a variety of sizes that have a pin that stays shut with a turning clasp attached to a base. Make sure the base is not too large that it sticks out on either side of your pin front.
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Step 3
Fine tune your front. Clean your object with a soft, damp cloth. Cut with snips or bend with pliers to suit your taste. File or use sandpaper to shave down any rough edges. Let's say you chose metal and you want to make little skulls. Cut the pieces into a head shape and file the edges.
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Step 4
Decorate your front. Paint rocks and metal pieces with a base coat, allow to dry, then add any desired details with paint pens. Detail any object with paint pens. Glue on any extras, such as rhinestones, crystals, glitter, feathers or other fun items that are small and lightweight enough to be part of your pin. The skull would need a base coat of grayish white and fine details with a paint pen to depict the eyes, nose and mouth. Spray the finished object with polyurethane or another sealer if needed.
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Step 5
Glue the front on the back. Use a heavy duty craft or jewelry glue to attach the base of the pin to the back of your object. Allow to dry thoroughly before wearing.
