Faux Locket Stamped Story Book Necklace

Every so often, I get an idea in my head that I have no idea if it will work, but I can’t stop thinking about it until I try it.  This was one of those: the faux locket.  And I’m so happy to share that it worked wonderfully!  I bound two pewter blanks together, book-style, and added a chain closure.  And since it came out so bookish, a book theme seemed fitting.

Before we get started, I want to make a disclaimer: I typically stamp straighter than this (and when I don’t, I re-stamp it).  I went back and forth about sharing this project today, because I put all my energy into the idea and not quite so much into the details of the execution.  (And if I’m being honest, then THAT is actually the story of my life, haha.  I love the broad strokes, and the details KILL me sometimes.)  When it was time to stamp this inside, I just started stamping words.  I didn’t plot, I didn’t plan.  (Clearly, I didn’t plan ahead, or the spacing would be better.)  I went sort of stream-of-consciousness, deciding what to say next based on how many letters I could fit, and came up with something that was accidentally kind of inspiring.

I inspired myself.  So already, this project was a win, because normally I know what is going to happen when I sit down for a project.  Crookedness aside, this was a beautiful surprise.

And enough gushing now, either you already love this idea or you think I’m rather full of myself, so it’s time to move on to how to assemble a faux locket of your own.  I’ll leave links below to the supplies I used, in case you’re searching for any of these components, but of course the beauty of this project is making it your own, so get creative!  Put your own spin on it.  But one quick disclaimer here – if you decide to buy anything using the links below, it supports my blog at no extra cost to you.  I always appreciate when you start your shopping here because it supports these wild ideas.

• Bench block and hammer
• ImpressArt 3mm Newsprint alphabet stamps
• Stamp-straight tape
• Two 3/4 inch square pewter stamping blanks
• Permanent marker and polishing pad
• 2-Hole Punch (3/32 inch)
• 3.7 mm eyelets
• Eyelet setter
• Tierracast maple block for setting tools (optional)
• Rollo chain – any length between 16 inches and 36 inches
• 2 inch head pin 
• 3 mm crystal bead
• 10mm jump rings and 7mm jump rings, and optional lobster clasp
• Jewelry pliers
• Round nosed pliers 
• Wire cutters

First things first, stamp your letters.  I found that for the “book” style, it was important to me to fill the inner blank all the way, so that it was more like an excerpt.  I used stamp-straight tape just to mark off my lines for the vertical spacing, and then I just took off.  Take a pointer from me, here: don’t rush.  I crowded some letters and got others a bit crooked.  Had I slowed down on this step, it would have looked much better.  But, I was out of square blanks after using my last two, so I only got one shot at it. ;)

If you’d like stamping tips, I encourage you to visit my beginner’s stamping tutorial, or subscribe to the newsletter and download my free stamping ebook.  I’d love to get into it today but this is already a very long post with assembly (and me rambling off-topic, ahem.  Sorry ’bout that).

I used a permanent marker to darken my impressions and buffed it with a polishing pad.  If you have another method you prefer – go for it. :)

Next, punch 3/32 inch holes at the top and bottom.  I punched two more in the upper corners, and one at the bottom center.  You could also simplify – when you stamp your blank, do it with the center hole at the bottom, and just punch two holes in the corners.  The center hole at the top is totally unnecessary, but since it’s there, I had to finish it.  Again, with the lack of planning, I know. ;)

Set your eyelets in the holes to finish them smoothly.  I opted for contrasting metal, and I used copper eyelets.  Using the setter base, position the eyelet on the round groove to stabilize it.  Add your piece on top, then, place the setting tool on the open end of the eyelet.  Tap the top of the setting tool with your hammer a few times, until the eyelet rounds snugly against your stamped blank.  I finished all the holes except the one at the bottom of the underside blank, the “inside” of the book.

Next, you’ll need a tiny charm to finish off the end of your chain and loop closure.  I made my own by wire-wrapping a 3mm bead.  To do this, add a bead to a 2 inch head pin, and using your round-nosed pliers, loop the wire over one side, close to the small end of the pliers.  Wrap the excess wire around the pin itself between the loop you bade and the top of the bead.  Use a pair of wire cutters to nip off the excess.  Then, add this charm to the end of about 2 inches of chain.

Assemble all the pieces with jump rings. You’ll need 10mm jump rings for the top, to accommodate not just the hinge action, but also fit a 2mm chain through to string it.  On the “inside” of the book, attach the chain to the bottom of the blank with a 7mm jump ring (I chose copper, but it’s purely a matter of preference).  On the front “cover”, attach a 7mm jump ring to the blank, with a 10mm ring attached.  The bead will slip through the 10mm ring to form the chain closure.

Finally, just string it on your choice of 2mm chain.  I decided I wanted it long, and made mine 36 inches.  You can also go with a short chain worn close to the neck, but don’t forget the beaded chain will hang down.  That makes for kind of a sexy effect if you opt for the short chain – just make sure that’s the look you’re going for (especially if you’re around people who are interested in checking out your handmade jewelry, haha).

This is a perfect style necklace to layer, though – so if you’re looking for other pieces that might look nice along with it, you can also check out my recent post on necklace layering.  I promise, those make up MUCH more quickly than this design.

Thanks for bearing with me today while I got all sentimental about my recent creative endeavor.  When you’re in the creative business, it can get “all-business” from time to time, so this was a wonderful break from that.  :) Hope you enjoyed this faux locket, and let me know if you try one for yourself!