Hand Stamped Initial Necklace {DIY Gift}

Learn how to make your own hand stamped jewelry and create amazing gifts for any occasion.  It’s the perfect DIY gift for yourself {ha!}, Mother’s Day, new moms, graduation gifts, birthdays, Christmas and any other holiday Hallmark can think up!

I wear one of these necklaces almost every day and I get so many compliments!  I’ve been selling them on Etsy for a few years, and I thought I’d share how I make them with you! 

I’ll also give you some tips and information on buying supplies that should save you a ton of time and money getting started.

Here’s an example of a “Mother’s Necklace” that’s always been a popular gift.  You can add as many charms as you would like, or just have one initial charm for your name. 

This is the kind of gift that’s cherished forever!   

Here’s a peek at my supplies…

• Letter stamp set
• Hammer
• Steel bench block
• Sterling silver ball chain necklaces
• Sterling silver blanks {hearts and circles}
• Open Jump Rings
• Sterling Silver Head Pins – 2 in.
• Freshwater pearls
• Metal hole punch pliers
• Round tip pliers
• Wire cutters
• Long-nose pliers
• Sharpie marker
• Steel Wool

I usually work with sterling silver blanks, but it’s best to practice on less expensive metal until you get the feel for stamping with the right pressure.  Trust me…you will be sad if you mess up a silver charm.

These are my favorite letters…they’re a lowercase typewriter font.  You can find a million different fonts, but I think this one is really easy to read when stamping.

Here’s how I make a hand stamped necklace…{with lots of step-by-step photos}

I start with my sterling silver circle blank and rough it up a bit with the steel wool.  Of course this step is optional.  If you prefer a shiny blank, just skip this step!

Wipe any dust off of the blank and place it flat on the steel bench block.  You can secure the edge of it with a piece of tape if you like…it’s up to you.   

Make sure you are holding your stamp with the letter facing you {the one written on the stamp}.

Center it and hold the stamp straight up and down so it stamps evenly.

Take your hammer and give it a good whack!

I’ve read about using more than one hit, but I only use one.  You can’t be afraid to really hit it!  This is where practicing with another metal will help you to know how hard and what angle works best for you and your stamps.  Keep in mind that some metals are softer, so you will need to adjust to that a bit. {It’s really not as hard as I’m making it sound…lol!}

Take a Fine Black Sharpie and fill in your letter.  You don’t have to be perfect, but make sure you really get the ink down in the grooves.

Let it dry a bit and the use your steel wool to lightly rub the charm until you only have ink down in the grooves of the letter.  You can touch it up a bit and repeat this step if you need to.  Then I use a little jewelry polish cloth to brighten it up a bit.

Punch a hole at the top using your hole punch pliers.

Attach your sterling silver open jump ring.

Slide it on your sterling silver necklace and stop right there if you want!  It’ sweet and simple!

You can go on to make a pearl charm…

I use freshwater pearls that I buy from a local jewelry shop.  They sell them by the strand, so I like to really check them out to find a size that I like.  You can go really big or little with these!

I start with a 2 inch sterling silver head pin and make a loop around the tip of my round pliers.

While holding it right there I take my long nose pliers and start to wrap the head pin around to the top of the pearl.  I usually make 2-3 loops and cut the remaining off with the wire cutters. 

Add the sterling silver jump ring and you have a pearl charm!  That was easy wasn’t it?!

You could also mix it up a bit by using any bead or crystals for birthstones.

There you go!  That’s all you need to do to make your own fabulous hand stamped jewelry at the fraction of the cost. 

Once you start stamping you will want to make everything with a stamp…lol!

You can purchase large blanks for key chains, guitar picks and so much more!  Think of all the gifts you can make!!

You can use any type of metal charm, so have fun with it!

If you love hand stamped jewelry and just want to buy a necklace or two…just visit my Handmade and Craft shop on Etsy.  You will find these and other designs in my Hand Stamped Jewelry Section.

Please leave any of your questions in the comments!

~Kim

I’ve listed some of the supplies available on Amazon to make your shopping easier… {I seriously love the Prime shipping!}

shop now

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blanks

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A few other sources you might enjoy…

Dreamland Jewelry – Silver chains

Art Beads – Open jump rings – all sizes – 6mm-8mm and head pins

Beaducation – Metal Stamping Blanks

25 DIY Bridesmaid Gifts

Make your wedding day extra special with these DIY bridesmaid gifts that are simple, sweet and won’t burst your budget!  Let them know you appreciate all their hard work with something handmade.  I’m sure they could use a little relaxing bath salt or lavender soap.  How about a beautiful necklace to cherish?  Maybe a tote bag for a weekend at the beach?

Every bridesmaid is unique, and I’m sure there’s something perfect for them on this list of amazing gift tutorials!

1. Personalized Note Locket – 100 Layer Cake
2. DIY Bow Clutch – Elm Street Life
3. Homemade Bubble Bath {printable} – Eat Drink Chic
4. Doily Personalized Canvas Bag – Under the Sycamore
5. Homemade Bath Salt – Everything Etsy
6. Envelope Clutch – Swell Mayde
7. Soy Candles – Ruffled
8. Homemade Lavender Soap – A Pumpkin and A Princess
9. DIY Personalized Locket Art – Everything Etsy
10. Pandora Inspired Bracelet – Happy Hour Projects
11. Tea Soap – Cucumbersome
12. Clay Flower Jewelry – Happy Together Creates
13. Rosette Necklace Tutorial – Everything Etsy
14. Perfume Locket – Design Sponge
15. Vintage Inspired Flower Necklace – The Good Life
16. Ruffled Coin Purse – Flamingo Totes
17. DIY Wire Bird Nest Necklace – Sarah Ortega
18. Lace & Pearl Necklace – Tatertots & Jello
19. Sparkle Tote Bag & Notebook – Lauren Conrad
20. Knot Tote Bag – Me Sew Crazy
21. Ribbon and Pearl Necklace – Dollar Store Crafts
22. Vintage Teacup Candles – Reese Kistel
23. DIY Glitter Clutch – I Am Style-ish
24. Makeup Brush Roll – The Beauty Department
25. Braided Headbands – P.S. I Made This

Handmade gifts are a wonderful way to let them know how much you care!  Which one is your favorite?

If you are looking for more DIY wedding ideas, you will want to see this…

101 Simple Handmade Wedding Ideas! 

A handmade wedding is a beautiful thing…enjoy it in style without spending every penny you own!

~Kim

Other posts you might enjoy…

• 101 Handmade Gifts for Men
• 101 Handmade Gifts for Her
• 101 Simple Handmade Gifts

Whip up a little luck of the Irish with these St. Patricks Day crafts and free printables!  It’s such a fun holiday, so don’t let it pass you by without a creating a few crafty projects.  Many of these only take minutes to make and you will instantly become a Crafty Princess in the process…well, maybe.

Everyone loves a great holiday printable, right?!  You’ll find printables for your parties, beer labels, gift tags and even breakfast.  A little green ink goes a long way!

There’s a little something for everyone from wreaths to handmade gifts…time to GO GREEN and try a few of these creative St. Patrick’s Day ideas!

1. Shrinky Dink Irish Jewelry – Merriment Design
2. Oh So Lucky To Have You {Printable} – A Little Tipsy
3. Lucky Brew Beer Labels – Benign Objects
4. Split Pea Shamrock Tutorial – Made
5. Easy St. Patrick’s Day Banner – The Crafting Chicks
6. St. Patrick’s Day Yarn Wrapped Vase – Mod Podge Rocks
7. St. Patrick’s Day Clover T-Shirt – Finley and Oliver
8. Felt Shamrock Barrette – Paper and Ink
9. DIY Shamrock Streamers – Studio DIY
10. Lucky {Printable} – Stay at Home Artist
11. St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast {Printable} – My Sister’s Suitcase
12. Kiss Me Anyway Pin Tutorial {Printable} – Make Merry Events
13. Shamrock Dog Collar – Mega Crafty
14. Leprechaun Hat Favors – Canadian Living
15. St. Patrick’s Day Gift Tags {Printable} – Good Gravy Designs
16. Crochet Shamrock Garland – Skip to My Lou
17. St. Patrick’s Day Party Set {Printables} – Pizzazzerie
18. Fabric Lucky Clover Specimen Art – Flamingo Toes
19. Irish Lass Embroidery Pattern – So September
20. Rainbow Party Favor Tags {Printable} – Hostess With the Mostess
21. Shamrock Wreath – The House That Lars Built
22. Lucky Subway Art {Printable} – Eighteen25
23. Felt Four Leaf Clover Pin – BHG
24. Clover Crochet Pattern – Lion Brand
25. St. Patrick’s Party Printables – Love the Day
26. Four Leaf Clover Wreath – Blue Sky Confections
27. Simple Book Page Banner – Simple as That
28. Keep Calm and Pinch On {Printable} – Hands on Housewife
29. Easy Burlap Wreath – HGTV/ The TomKat Studio
30. Lucky Bingo {Printable} – The Crafting Chicks
31. I’m So Lucky Treat Topper – Eighteen25
32. Embroidery Hoop St. Patty’s Wreath – The Chalkboard Mag
33. Felt Shamrock Pin – Miss Niff
34. Shamrock Wreath – A Little Tipsy
35. St. Patrick’s Silhouette T-Shirt Projects – Eighteen25
36. DIY Irish Cream {Printable} – Style Me Pretty
37. St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Hunt {Printable} – Oopsey Daisy
38. Yarn Wrapped St. Patrick’s Day Vase – BHG
39. Shamrock Bingo {Printable} – Peonies and Poppyseeds
40. St. Patrick’s Day Labels and Stickers – World Label
41. St. Patrick’s Day Tulle Wreath – A Night Owl
42. Pot of Gold Cupcake Toppers – Party Planning Center
43. Rainbow Cookie Favor {Printable} – Hostess With the Mostess
44. I’m Lucky to Have You Stickers {Printable} – Julie Blanner
45. You’re My Lucky Charm Card – BHG
46. Luck Be a Lady Badges – No Biggie
47. St. Patrick’s Day Gift Tags – Poppies at Play
48. St. Patty’s Felt Wreath – Adventures of Mini Martha
49. DIY Beer Soap – Soap Queen
50. Paper Shamrock Banner – Blooming Homestead
51. Felt Flower St. Patrick’s Day Wreath – Craftaholics Anonymous
52. Wired Shamrocks – Child Made Tutorials
53. Shamrock Pillow – HGTV
54. Pecan St. Patrick’s Day Wreath – Dejavu Crafts
55. Simple St. Patrick’s Day Bunting – Simple As That
56. St. Patrick’s Day Cake Pop Toppers – Marry This
57. Lucky Party Banner {Printable} – HGTV
58. Mini Shamrock Banner – Holiday Crafts and Creation
59. St. Patrick’s Day Treat Cone – Loven Stamps
60. St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake Toppers {Printables} – Anna and Blue
61. Lucky Treat Pillow Box {Printable} – Good Gravy Designs
62. Lucky in Love {Printable} – Agape Love Designs
63. DIY Salt Dough Shamrock – Little Wonders’ Day
64. St. Patty’s Day Table Runner – A Girl & A Glue Gun
65. Burlap Circle Wreath – Me and My Scraps
66. Pipe Cleaner Shamrock Pins – Martha Stewart
67. St. Patty’s Day Treat Toppers {Printable} – Anything But Perfect
68. DIY Lucky Burlap Pillow – Craftaholics Anonymous
69. St. Patrick’s Day Bow Wreath – BabsMadeIt
70. Candy Bar Wrappers {Printable} – Anything But Perfect
71. Easy Felt Rainbow Garland – Sweet Little Smoothie
72. Yo Yo Shamrock – Bobbityboo
73. Felt St. Patty’s Day Flag – Crafty Critique
74. St. Patrick’s Day Tea Towels – Blue Cricket Designs
75. Shamrock Straw Toppers – Martha Stewart
76. Lucky Banner – Sassy Sanctuary
77. St. Patrick’s Day Bingo {Printable} – Prepared Not Scared
78. DIY Wood Block Yard Sign – Under my Polka Dot Umbrella
79. Felt Shamrock Wreath – Spare Time Sanity
80. Felt Clover Hair Pins – Martha Stewart
81. You’ve Been Pinched Door Hanger {Printable} – Cupcake Wishes
82. Shamrock Button Art – Oopsey Daisy Blog
83. Sequin Shamrock Clippie – Cute as a Fox
84. Lucky Burlap Shamrock Wall Hanging – She Wears Flowers
85. St. Paddy’s Ribbon Wreath – She’s Kinda Crafty
86. Crochet Shamrock Hair Clip – Skip to My Lou
87. St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake Wrapper {Printable} – Penny Candy
88. Felt Four Leaf Clover Table Decor – Nori Kraft
89. Shamrock Grapevine Wreath – Mega Crafty
90. Lucky Penny Holder {Printable} – Pumpkin Petunia
91. Ruffled Burlap Holiday Wreath – My Blessed Life
92. Lucky Shamrock Key Chain – Holiday Crafts and Creations
93. Wooden Lucky Me Photo Holder – iCandy Handmade
94. Leprechaun Hat Planter – Our Seven Dwarfs
95. Shamrock Dollar Bill Folding Instructions – Curbly
96. Lucky U Gift Tags {Printable} – Eighteen25
97. Leprechaun Treasure Hunt {Printable} – The Crafting Chicks
98. Polka Dot St. Patrick’s Day Wreath – Miss Lovie Creations
99. Satin Shamrock Hair Clip – Fleece Fun
100. Pinch Proof T-Shirt Tutorial – Skip to My Lou
101. I’m Lucky to Have You Tag – The Crafting Chicks

Oh my gosh, I love so many of these!  Do you have a favorite?

Thanks so much for all your pins, tweets, Facebook likes and more on my previous holiday tutorial posts…I’m a lucky girl to have such sweet friends!

I hope this collection helps make your St. Patrick’s Day planning a little easier and fun!

~Kim

Looking for more tutorials??  Here are a few Spring posts you might enjoy…

• 101 Handmade Easter Craft Ideas
• 25 DIY Spring Wreaths
• 20 St. Patrick’s Day Dessert Recipes
• 25 Handmade Mother’s Day Gifts

I love all these creative ideas and the printables would be perfect for parties or just a fun little addition to your desk.  From beautiful hair accessories to Downton Abbey Bingo…you are gonna love them all!

{Downton Abbey Inspired Headband – Madigan Made}

{Downton Abbey DIY Jeweled Ribbon Accessories – Whimsey Box}

{Ribbon & Pearl DIY Downton Abbey Necklace – Dollar Store Crafts}

{Downton Abbey DIY Faux Lace Collar – Madigan Made}

{Downton Inspired Vintage Hair Accessories – Haute31}

{Downton Abbey DIY Statement Hat – La Vie}

{Downton Abbey Paper Doll Printables – Vulture}

{Downton Abbey Bingo…ha, how fun is that?!}

{Downton Abbey Free Printables – I Should Be Mopping the Floor}

Have you made a Downton Abbey DIY craft recently?  Feel free to share a link to it in the comments.

So, how big of a fan are you???

~Kim

The Hunger Games Movie is coming out soon and these free printables, crafty party ideas, and jewelry tutorials are sure to add a little fun to the mix.  I read them all and I can’t wait to see the movie!

If you’re a Hunger Games Fan there’s something on this list for you!

1. DIY Necklace & Keychains {Printables} – g*rated
2. Popsicle Stick Bows & Arrows – The Brooding Hen
3. Book Page Necklace – Happy Hour Projects
4. Hunger Games Cookies – Lizy B
5. Hunger Games Bookmarks {Printables} – Living Locurto
6. Cross-Stitch Mockingjay Bookmark – Forever Young Adult
7. Charms & Magnets – Hunger Games Lessons
8. Screen Print T-Shirt – Forever Young Adult
9. District 12 Coal Necklace or Key Chain – Rae Gun Ramblings
10. Movie Party Printables – Living Locurto
11. Mockingjay Pin – HungerGamesDWTC
12. Arrow Pillows – Amelie and Atticus
13. Meadow Song Bookmark {Printables} – Hunger Games Lessons
14. I Love the Boy With Bread Shirt – The Crafted Sparrow
15. Stamped Sugar Cookies – Fictional Food
16. Hunger Games Jewelry Tutorials – The Heart of a Painter
17. Party Favor Parachutes – Family Fun
18. Hunger Games Ornaments – Examiner
19. Party Signs & More {Printables} – Creative Party Buzz
20. Mockingjay Plates – Young Adults
21. Book Cover Bracelet – HungerGamesDWTC

You can’t have a party without some of those cookies, right?  Oh, and I need that book page necklace!!!  What’s your favorite idea?

Have you seen any crafty Hunger Games ideas that are out of this world?  Please share them in the comments!

May the odds be ever in your favor.

~Kim

Hooked on tutorials???  Check these out…

• 101 Pretty Printables {free}
• 101 Handmade Gifts
• 101 Handmade Wedding Ideas

The other day I needed something pretty to match my brand new outfit and I couldn’t find anything that really matched.  Of course, that meant I needed to make something!  Am I the only one that thinks this way?  I don’t think so.

Here’s what I came up with…Locket Art.  It was one of the quickest projects I’ve ever done and it might just be my new favorite!

I started with one of the crystal clear lockets that I’ve been selling for over a year now in my Etsy shop.  Well, I guess I’m a little slow sometimes, but I always thought of these holding beautiful family photos and not too much more.

Then I gathered up a little matching Bella Blue wool felt and a couple scrapbook goodies I found on a clearance pile the other day.  {I don’t even scrapbook…so I must have a craft supply shopping addiction.}

I checked to see what would look the best and fit in the locket.  I can’t believe how this butterfly matches my new skirt…love it!

I tried a couple options and using part of the arrow looked pretty neat.  You could even use one pattern for the front and one for the back.

I trimmed it all to fit and placed it in the locket.  I didn’t use any glue so I can change it to match something else in minutes by changing the butterfly to something else.

The thought of using this one locket to have matching jewelry for any outfit totally thrills me!

Lockets aren’t just for photos…create a little art of your own!

What a great little gift idea for the person that has everything.  Check out my selection of beautiful lockets in my Etsy shop.

~Kim

Subscribe to Everything Etsy to stay in touch!

A Face-to-Face Interview With Krystal From Blended

What do you think about these beautiful earrings? These are my favorite, and the way the light reflects on them is just stunning!

This photo was taken when I met a fellow Etsian, Krystal from Blended, for a face-to-face interview and a look at her jewelry collection. She’s so creative, and we could have talked for hours!

Krystal moved from Jamaica {how cool} with her family when she was a child, and didn’t realize her creative talents until a couple of years ago when she had her daughter. All of a sudden she started drawing like she did when she was a child and hasn’t stopped creating new things since. Krystal can draw, crochet, and is always trying something new.

This necklace is made with colored Jade….I had no idea they could take light colored Jade and create these brilliant colors!

Krystal has been working with beads for over a year, and now makes almost daily trips to the bead store near her home {how lucky!} for inspiration and more supplies.

When I asked her when she started, she said “I’m not sure, I just know I had money one day and the next day it was gone!” Ha! I’m sure many of you understand how fast money can go when you buy supplies!

A description of Blended, in Krystal’s own words:

The inspiration behind blended is that we girls have many sides to us, some days we are prim and proper – while other days we want to let our rock star hair down. Blended is here to embrace all the sweet, fun, spunky, girly, tough and glamorous sides of you. From girly pearls and gems to rock star bangles and revolver earrings, there is something here for every part of you.

Seller Tips from Krystal

• Use different color backgrounds for your photos. She found more shop visitors from the color search feature on Etsy by having a variety of backgrounds.
• Showing a photo of your packaging and using all five photos has improved her sales.

Krystal’s packaging really completes the presentation of her work!

Her sales have started growing faster, and anything from her shop would make a fabulous gift. Don’t forget about Mother’s Day!

Blended is constantly adding new designs, like this stunning necklace.

Krystal takes time to make sure each piece she makes is just right, and she’ll start all over if something is a bit out of place. That’s one of the wonderful things about Etsy seller’s that put so much love and care into each item.

Handmade gifts are the way to go!

There’s something to be said about meeting someone “In Real Life” for an interview. You can really get to know them and their work! Anytime you get two Etsy Lovin’ girls together for coffee, it’s sure to be fun!

Thanks for sharing all your jewelry and tips with us, Krystal!

You have to stop by Blended and see all her new designs!

~Kim

The Vintage Pearl is well known for creating unique handstamped jewelry that is simple, sentimental and meaningful!

Don’t you just love every single design? I sure do!

Every piece is handmade with sterling silver, freshwater pearls, or crystals. There are so many beautiful designs at The Vintage Pearl!

Here’s a sample…

This inspiring bracelet is one of my favorites!

Oh, these are just darling…and the flowers are perfect!

Engraved baby spoons make fabulous shower gifts!

Love birds are simply sweet!

The Vintage Pearl is full of beautiful handmade treasures, and a great inspiration for the rest of us with Etsy shops. I recently saw one of their ads in Real Simple Magazine! Yay for handmade!

Erin has a wonderful blog with beautiful photos that I really enjoy. You might want to stop over there and take a few minutes to browse.

To celebrate out 996th follower we are having a special giveaway! Yes, 996th! I just couldn’t wait another day to get to 1000! The little counter thing gets on my nerves anyway.

Thanks for all the support! I love your comments and emails with photos and encouraging words! You Rock!

One lucky, lucky Everything Etsy reader will win a $50 gift certificate to The Vintage Pearl! Isn’t that awesome?!

Erin has a wonderful collection that you must see for yourself, so hop on over to The Vintage Pearl website and let me know what you would LOVE to wear!

Just leave a comment to enter.

For additional entries:

• Leave a comment if you subscribe to Everything Etsy by email or an RSS feed reader{I heart you!}
• Another comment if you Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter
• And another if you post the giveaway on Facebook or your blog, linking back to this post

You can enter up to 4 times! Good luck!

This giveaway is closed.  Thanks for all the wonderful comments.  The lucky winner is #120!

Congratulations Angie!!!

This giveaway ends February 15th at midnight!

~Kim

We have a beautiful giveaway this week that’s perfect for fall!

This Fall Splendor Copper Necklace from Polka Dot Moon could be yours! It’s a custom piece made with antiqued copper chain, an oak leaf, and lovely beads in fall colors.

Denise is so talented that she has another shop full of goodies…Wild Moon Studio!

Aren’t these acorn tags cute? What a great way to top off that little bag of baked goods for the teachers or neighbors. You could be wrapping with style if you win today’s giveaway. We’re giving away a set of 5 hand stamped acorn tags, too!

Let me show you one of my favorites from Polka Dot Moon…

These Sparrow Earrings are one of the many unique and beautiful items in Polka Dot Moon. She has a style that’s relaxed and elegant at the same time. I like when something can be worn with jeans during the day and a dress in the evening.

This is for all those Twilight fans out there {like Candy} that just can’t get enough! What a GREAT GIFT!!!

One Everything Etsy winner will win the Fall Splendor Necklace and a set of Acorn Gift Tags!!!

There are up to 4 chances to win! Visit Polka Dot Moon or Wild Moon Studio and leave a comment about one of your favorite items. If you are a subscriber to Everything Etsy leave a second comment. Spread the word by Twitter or Facebook for more chances.

This giveaway ends November 2nd. Thanks for stopping by! Good luck to you all!

This giveaway has ended…Congratulations to KATIE!!!!  Enjoy!

I’ve met so many creative people lately, and I just have to share some of their creations with you! It’s like when you find your favorite shoes marked 70% off and you can’t help but tell everyone you know about your discovery. So here goes…

Our first stop is Whimsical Creations by Melanie. Don’t you love this clay pendant? She’s amazing with clay and has tons of cute creations like mushrooms and babies.   She’s not the only one that can make clay creations…I can make clay snakes!

Do you want to go to summer school? This summer school is for crafty, artsy people and I’m sure all of you would love it. Visit PajamaMama for all the details.

Terri at Artfully Arranged Disarray is the Ms. Smarty Pants of scrapbooking. Check out her blog for great ideas and tips!

What do you get you add funky and beautiful together? Jennifer Ladd Purses! I heart this purse and so many more in her shop! Go buy them, but maybe not the one in the photo.

Have fun looking around!