Thursday, August 18, 2011

The Washer Necklace

If you are into indie crafts at all than no doubt you have run across a tutorial for making the washer necklace.  I have and I've always wanted to make some.  Early this week I got a call from a friend who asked if I would be willing to do a make and take craft with children at the Bayshore Chalk Art Festival.  I gave it some thought and decided that it would be the perfect time to try out the washer necklace craft. 


First, you need washers.  They come in all sizes and some are rougher than others.  I got some nice smooth, shiny ones with smaller holes in the center. I don't remember the exact sizes.  The smaller ones were .20ea. and the larger ones were .24ea.  I spent about $14 total.


Some of these supplies are optional but some are not.  Here we have glitter, a hole punch, sharpie, and small plastic bags in case the project is not dry yet when the child takes it home.


Mod Podge is pretty much a necessity as is some sort of string (I'm using left-over carpet warp).  Beads are a nice touch. 


This is the best part of the whole project!  Get in your car and drive to Menards. Do it!  Now!  There you will find a 28 piece steel stamp set (all 26 letters plus a . and a &) for ..........$9.99.  SERIOUSLY!
Now that you are fully loaded you can start creating stuff like this:




I made this one for myself to wear.  It's to remind me that I have "enough" of whatever it is that I think I lack.  I suppose it could also mean: "I've had enough!"  Oh, the endless possibilities.  This one is made with a larger size washer decoupaged with pretty paper and some glitter and then the smaller size washer is stamped and laid on top. To Decoupage, you first trace the washer onto the paper that you desire.  Then cut out the circle and use the whole punch to create the inner circle.  Next you spread the glue on the washer and on the back of the paper.  Carefully place them together and then go over the front of the paper with some more decoupage glue and sprinkle on some glitter.  It doesn't take long to dry.


This is another one with the two sizes.  The bottom one is decoupaged with the pretty paper and the top one is decoupaged with plain paper that I hand painted.  Both have glitter on them to make them sparkle.


 This last one is Gl's.  S is modeling it because he wanted to get in on the action.  Gl chose the word "courage"  because that is what she is going to need when going back to school this year without her best friend.  Once you use the stamps to stamp in your word or phrase you go over it with a black sharpie and then wipe the extra off with a baby wipe.  It works perfectly.

I also made GL one that says ALLONS Y !  for any Dr. Who fans out there. 


3 comments:

Lois said...

I am speechless!How does a steel stamp work? A child makes these?? I don't think I could--or at least make a decent one---maybe you will need to make one for me that says--confidence :-)

TinaKristina said...

I love it! I'm going to share this with the Children's librarian, and beg her to let me join if she ever makes these- gosh this is so clever!

Liv Svanoe said...

Love this! I may have to lift my ban on Menards and go get myself a steel stamp. No idea that existed. Great project. Thanks!