custom pendant necklaces

When I was purchasing supplies for my clip on earring ring I noticed some bezel set pendants in the jewelery findings section but didn't think much of it until I saw these necklaces at Uncommon Goods. I thought they were cool but... $145. Gulp. That is a lot of money! The next day I ran to Hobby Lobby and picked up supplies (luckily they were 50% off that week. Score!).

I loved the map idea but there aren't many geographical locations that are important enough to me to wear around my neck. Maybe something from Brooklyn. I think I might try to scrounge up an old NYC Subway map and make a necklace with my old subway stop (7th Ave and 9th Street on the F Train) but since I didn't have a subway map on hand I used other items I had lying around:

The solid colors are nail polish (the small dark one is purple though it appears black in the photos). The dark blue/yellow print is from a Thank You card from my sister-in-law. The zig-zag and striped prints are from the cover of Michaels Pratt Institute Alumni Magazine (he was so nice about letting me cut it up!). The little multi-colored pendant is from the Flip diaper box. I had saved it because I loved the colors.

Cut out the template provided with the package. Trace onto your image and carefully cut out.

Glue onto your pendant. Let dry. Apply a layer of Dimensional Magic Mod Podge. Let it dry overnight. Add another layer. Let dry overnight again. Continue until you reach the desired thickness of mod podge. The 3D mod podge says it has a three hour dry time but I found that it needs to dry overnight and with the multiple layers needs another few days to fully cure or it tends to develop cracks.

If you are using nail polish, simply paint the bottom interior of your pendant allow it to dry completely and continue with the Dimensional Mod Podge.

They only thing I don't like about the 3D mod podge is the colors become muted. My bold multi colored diaper box pendant turned out pastel but it's still one of my favorites.

One of these pendants would make a simple and cute gift for that sister/friend/mother on your Christmas list!