How to Create a Silver Charm
Charms are small pieces of jewelry traditionally worn on bracelets or necklaces. Enchanting and intricate, they often tell stories about their wearer's life. Many collectors obtain charms that symbolize their hobbies, travels and accomplishments. Though they are available in a wide assortment of colors, sizes, styles, and materials, silver charms are hugely popular, and never seem to go out of style. Silver charms are sold virtually everywhere, but it is quite easy and fun to make one by hand. In doing so, you can create a personalized gift for yourself or someone you care for. These guidelines will explain how. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Sterling silver sheet metal
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Tin snips
- Sandpaper
- Hammer
- Nail
- Sterling silver jump ring
- Pliers
Instructions
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Creating a Silver Charm
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1
Buy sterling silver sheet, which is simply a flat, smooth sheet of sterling silver, from a jewelry supply retailer.
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2
Decide what kind of charm you want to create. Develop a design that will be attractive when cut from a flat sheet of silver, such as a heart, a star, or a key.
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3
Use a pencil to draw the outline of your design on the sterling silver sheet. If you wish, create a template of your design on a piece of paper and trace around that onto the silver.
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4
Cut the charm out of the silver sheet using either tin snips or scissors. Choose the cutting tool that will easily slice through the sterling silver sheet while allowing you to maintain the intricacy of your design.
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5
Rub sandpaper on all of the edges of the cut out charm. Sand until the edges of your charm are totally smooth; a sharp charm will be uncomfortable to wear.
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6
Form a single hole in the charm by hammering a nail through it. Remove the nail. Make the hole smooth by rubbing sandpaper in and around it.
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7
Open a sterling silver jump ring with pliers. Slide the jump ring through the hole in your charm. Place the chain of a bracelet or necklace in the center of the jump ring. Close the jump ring with pliers.
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Tips & Warnings
Create personalized initial charms for your friends. Make charms in the shape of the first letters of their names.
Cut out simple square or oval charms and use a letter stamping kit to embellish them with words.
Keep silver charms from tarnishing by wiping them frequently with a silver cleaning paste, liquid or cloth, obtainable at many supermarkets and jewelry stores.
