Charms Swap

Recently I participated in a charms swap which was hosted so efficiently by Roni, of inkstainswithroni blog. It was a popular swap and over 300 charms were whizzing to and fro around the World! Take a look at Roni's posts for all the entrants.

This is one of the charms I made and further down this post you'll find details of how I made them from scrap tin.

I couldn't post details until everyone in the swap had their charms and I am thrilled with the fabulous collection I received. Here they are fastened to the pin that Roni kindly sent along with a vintage key.

Special thanks go to Roni and (left to right) to Lori Williams, key from Roni, Helen Cleary, Olga Brock, and Cassie Larson.

This is one of the old Star decorations I used to make mine... just a bit of old tinplate but a bit heavier than a tin can.

It cut easily into shape with old scissors, then I battered the shapes on my late Dad's old shoe last to texture them a bit. I created the required holes by (over a piece of wood) hammering in nails, then filing down the rough side where the nails had pierced through.

Throughout the stages until filed be sure to beware of any sharp rough edges!

They then were painted with white acrylic dabber

 After a light sanding to expose some of the metal I coloured the shapes randomly with alcohol inks and when dry I stamped over with script images using Stazon ink.

 I coated them with Glossy Accents and when that was tacky I added some tiny bits if gilding flakes. They can also be sealed by clear embossing or just dip them UTEE in the melt pot, if you have one! I really don't know why I didn't choose this option.

 Here's the full set of charms I made ... .all slightly different. The design came from necklaces I had made many years ago in pure silver and making these has given me an itch to start making jewellery once again. This is certainly a cheap and effective way to experiment with the prices of precious metals being at an all time high. They would make great pendant necklaces and could be sized up very easily.

If you fancy having a go and need more information just ask and I'll try to help. They look complex but are quite easy to do. I'm in the middle of making some other designs so watch this space........