How to Make a Pendant from a Bottle Cap

Pendants are some of the most attractive bottle cap crafts — even small caps can look out of proportion as rings or earrings, but as pendants they can suit a range of looks, from whimsical to elegant. These pendants require a few specialty items — found in crafts stores or online — but they are simple enough for beginning jewelry makers to handle.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bottle cap
• Jump ring and chain
• Hand-held metal hole-puncher
• Decoupage image and medium (like Mod Podge)
• Epoxy resin

1. Select a bottle cap with a nice, uniform shape — don't choose caps that have been punctured or deformed by bottle openers. Wash and dry the bottle cap.

2. Punch a small hole in the fringe of the bottle cap to create a place to fit a finding. Hand-held metal hole-punchers like the EuroPunch are inexpensive and much easier to use than a hammer and nail or drill press.

3. Select a photograph, drawing, used invitation, postcard or magazine clipping. Be sure to select copyright-free items especially if you intend to make the item for resale.

4. Cut the paper you chose for decoration so that it will fit snugly inside the bottle cap, flush against the bottom of the cap.

5. Seal the paper with a decoupage medium like Mod Podge so that the color will not run when you add the epoxy resin. Allow the medium to dry.

6. Mix the epoxy resin according to the manufacturer's instructions and pour the resin into the bottle cap, on top of the image. Fill the whole bottle cap, up to the fringed part. Allow the resin to cure.

7. Feed a jump ring through the drilled hole to create a finding for your pendant. Run a chain through the jump ring and enjoy your upcycled treasure.

Tips & Warnings

• To create earrings, repeat the process outlined above to make a set. Attach ear wires to the jump rings.

• Do not test the resin with your fingers to see if it has fully cured. You will wind up with unsightly finger prints on the resin if it has not dried. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and assume the curing process will take as long as the manufacturer claims, if not longer.

References

• "Recyclo-Gami: 40 Crafts to Make Your Friends Green with Envy!"; Laurie Goldrich Wolf