How to Make a "Best Mom" Stamped Pendant

© GeltDesigns 2009 All rights reserved.

She's been there for you your whole life. She cooks. She cleans. She is your best supporter (and sometimes your toughest critic.) She believes in you and supports your dreams. Tell her she is the "Best Mom" with this fabulous stamped pendant you can make yourself. This tutorial will demonstrate all the steps needed to make a truly unique Mother's Day gift.

Things You'll Need

• 14kt gold, sterling silver, argentium silver, copper or brass sheet
• stamps
• hammer or mallet
• disc cutter or jewelry saw
• drill and bits
• files, sand paper & micro paper
• doming block
• liver of sulfur (or another patina solution such as Midas Brass, Bronze & Copper Oxidizer, Midas Black Max or Grobet USA's Silver/Black)
• paint brush

Instructions

1. 

   Gather your tools and materials. Cut a one inch round disc from 20 gauge silver, gold, copper or brass sheet metal using a disc cutter or jewelry saw. If you do not know how to cut a round disc be sure to see our eHows on how to use a disc cutter and how to use a jewelry saw in the resource section of this article.

2. 

   Drill a hole in the top of the disc to create a bail. If you do not know how to drill a hole in sheet metal be sure to see our eHow on how to pierce metal in the resource section of this article.

3. 

   File the edges of the disc until smooth. Then use sand paper to sand away any tool marks from creating and piercing the disc. If you do not know how to use sand paper to finish jewelry be sure to see our eHow on how to use sand paper in the resource section of this article.

4. 

   Anneal the metal to soften. Pickle to clean up any oxidation. Stamp your design. In this pendant, we stamped "Best Mom."

5. 

   Use a doming block to dome the pendant. Doming the pendant will add depth to your design and strength and durability to the pendant.

6. Mix your solution of liver of sulfur (or patina of your choice). Paint the solution into the letters until it is as dark as you desire. Let dry. Sand off any excess patina outside the letters using micro papers. Polish, as desired. Protect the patina with Renaissance Wax. If you do not know how to apply Renaissance Wax, see our eHow in the resources links explaining how to protect your patina.

7. 

   Create the bail by wrapping a piece of 18 gauge wire around a dowel.

8. 

   Cut the wire after the wire completes the second loop around the dowel.

9. 

   Pull the wires apart to create "rabbit ears."

10. 

    Feed the wire onto the pendant to create the bail.

11. Your pendant is complete. Wear it on a chain, neck ring or leather string.

Tips & Warnings

• This project can be adapted for any occasion. You can stamp any design into the metal.

• You can skip step one by purchasing a disc.

• Always wear eye protection when cutting wire.

• Be aware that the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was recently amended to dictate safety requirements regarding kids' products that contain lead and other phthalates. For purposes of the CPSIA, a child is defined as a person 12 years old and under. So check to be sure any parts used for projects with kids (including this project) do not contain lead or phthalates.

Resources

• GeltDesigns
• List of Jewelry Making, Glass & Craft Tutorials by Topic
• How to Use a Jewelry Saw
• How to Pierce Metal When Fabricatin
• How to Use Sand Paper
• How to Use a Disc Cutter
• How to Transfer a Design
• How to Protect Your Patina
• How to Make a Sterling Silver Stamped Cuff Bracelet
• How to Make a Sterling Silver & Amethyst Riveted Flower Pin
• How to Measure Wire
• How. to Measure the Gauge of Sterling Silver or 14kt Gold Sheet
• Books on Jewelry Making
• Books on Metalsmithing
• Books on Wire Wrapping