Homemade Gifts Save Money: Washer Necklace
Alexa wanted to set up her own booth in an upcoming local Bluegrass Festival. So we set out to find just the thing that would be cute, easy and fun. These washer necklaces proved perfect. We’re addicted!
I’ve decided we’ll keep these on hand for gifts too–think hostess gifts, birthday gifts, just-because gifts…
Here’s how it’s done:
Supplies
- washers (we used 2 different sizes–1/2 ” and 3/4″)
- all-purpose glue
- Triple Thick (aka “Diamond Glaze”)
- scissors
- beads
- string or ribbon
- paper (It is suggested that you make laser copies of scrapbook-type paper as inkjet prints can bleed. However, I experimented using the regular paper and had no trouble.)
- hole-punch (optional)
Trace the washer.
Cut the doughnut-shaped paper out. We chose the 1/2″ washer first because we found a 3/4″ hole punch perfect to cut out the middle. But these are a bit large (although we like them), so we did some smaller ones too. To cut out the middle of the smaller ones we simply folded the circle in half; when it’s glued down, the crease doesn’t show. You can also use an Exacto knife.
Apply glue to the washer then press the paper shape down on the roughest side of the washer (you want the smooth side to lay against the skin.)
Let the glue dry (a few hours). Then, with a wooden skewer or similar tool, apply a thick layer of glaze and swirl it around until it evenly covers the entire surface.
This is supposed to dry for 48 hours but we impatiently put ours together a lot sooner (less than 8 hours!) You just have to be careful handling it until it is completely hardened. Oh, and baby teeth will show up in the finish 
You can purchase fasteners at the craft store, but we actually just made our own like this. We decided that the ribbon is prettier so we’ll be buying different colors to match the other designs. As you can see, we also added a bead to the top of the washer. To attach the hemp rope, we just doubled it, put the folded end through the hole of the washer, and brought the loose ends back through.
And that’s all there is to it. Let me know if you’re interested in purchasing them and I’ll throw up a page with a “buy it” button. We are charging $8.00 for either size.
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Tags: frugal living
frugal living/saving money | Word Warrior | 
April 20, 2010 9:34 pm
So super cute!!!!!! And totally in style! Great job. If my daughter did not have a specially built in the wall cabinet full of jewelry, I’d buy a bunch!
What a great idea. You have such a creative family.
This is a great idea! We’re hoping to have a booth at a local community festival this summer and have been searching for simple (and cute) items for our daughter to make. Thanks for the inspiration!
Just a nifty idea! I am trying to think of some sort of thing my Millen could make to sell. Although she is 17, her skills are, of course, at a much lower level due to her Down syndrome. I think it is such a wonderful thing when kids can earn their own money from things they create with their own hands. Your idea for your little girlie is wonderful!
Hmm… these look like great nursing necklaces for those of us with little ones! I need to wear sturdy, baby safe necklaces… think I’ll need to make some of these. Thanks!
What an awesome idea!!!
Does this festival actually let kids set up a table? Or are you selling your skin products and she can set out her wares as well? Either way, what an exciting learning experience for her.
My daughter set up a small table at a show I was doing a couple of years ago… small bean bags and zip lock bags of home made play dough for $1 each were a hit with her peers (for more ideas
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[...] As promised, my daughter wrote out every name and drew for me the WINNER of the washer necklace… [...]
I trace the washer and cut the circle out, but it always hangs off the edges when I glue it to the washer did yours do this too? Thanks!
Tara,
I had a few to do that…I tried cut on the inner part of the tracing and then I used an emery board on some of them to smooth the edges.
Thank you for replying. I will try that.
Do you use the emery board after the triple thick?
I love these! Can you tell me how you dealt with the ends of ribbon? Did you tie them together or use some sort of a clasp? Thank you so much for sharing these!
Christine
You showed how you fastened the hemp rope.
But how did you fasten the ribbon?
i’ve been wearing old scuffed washers strung around my neck for years. i think they look pretty cool even without cute paper pasted on.
this is a cool idea, though. could be fun to make necklaces that match certain outfits or something.
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Usually I don’t read post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, very great article.
I just tried this but not a little scared because the triple thick looks like it is not smooth. Hoping it while it dries it will look better. I need to do a little better on the next one for my cutting out the trace of the washer. Hope it works!
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really one thing that I think I would by no means understand. It kind of feels too complicated and very vast for me. I’m having a look forward in your subsequent put up, I will try to get the grasp of it!
[...] I got some big-ish washers to make necklaces, and some itty-bitty nuts (due to a lack of itty-bitty washers) for magnet packaging. (Dumped in a [...]