One Word Bar Necklace

Happy New Year, friends! To start off this year with a bang, I thought it would be fun to make something that reminds me of my “one word” for 2015…SHINE! In case you haven’t noticed, bar necklaces are a huge trend right now; they’re everywhere, aren’t they? So, I thought I’d make myself one that would remind me what I want to focus on this year. Here’s how you can make one too…

Materials:
{Mine were provided by Goody Beads and ImpressArt. The links below are affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, you help to support One Artsy Mama.}
– ImpressArt Lollipop Uppercase Alphabet
– Metal Stamping Hammer
– Steel Stamping Block
– 1.5″ Soft Strike Rectangle Pewter Stamping Blank
– Small Two-Hole Punch
– Black Permanent Marker
– Jewelry Polishing Cloth
– Jump Rings
– Necklace Chain and clasp
– Needle Nose Pliers, Cutters

Step 1: Place your blank into the Small Two-Hole Punch and create a hole on the side of the blank that doesn’t have one already. This will allow you to wear the bar horizontally.

Step 2: Stamp your word onto your blank. In case you’ve never stamped before, tape your blank onto a steel stamping block. Position each stamp one at a time and give it a tap with your hammer to create an impression. Soft Strike blanks are incredibly easy to stamp without a ton of force. I wanted my word to be on the right, so I started with the “E” and worked my way backwards. You can certainly do the opposite and start on the left, or center your word if you prefer. If you’re not an experienced stamper and want a full step-by-step photo tutorial on Metal Stamping Basics, see my Intro to Stamping Post, then come back to this step and give it a try.

Step 3: Color over the stamped letters using a black permanent marker, then use a jewelry polishing cloth to wipe off the excess. No cloth? Try a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Step 4: Open two jump rings and place them in the holes on either side of your bar. Measure an 18″ piece of chain and attach one end to each jump ring. Then, cut the chain in the center and add a jump ring and clasp.

What about you? Do you love the bar necklace trend? What’s your word of the year? Here’s to a happy, healthy 2015!