How To Create A
Cherish Keepsake Pendant
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Scroll down past article for Cherish Keepsake Pendant tutorial

Major life events such as a new job, marriage, the birth of a child or grandchild, the move to a new place, or the death of a loved one can feel overwhelming. Whether a happy or sad event, it’s easy to feel that time is passing too quickly. Sometimes, especially when the event is unexpected, you may also feel a loss of control.

One way to regain that sense of control is to create a keepsake pendant. The act of gathering mementos together in itself is a healing act. As you decide what to include or exclude you are in complete control.

And unlike memory boxes, or other large projects, the pendant works well on a very small scale. It acts as a "mini" time capsule; showcasing the feelings and memories of a person or event.

Sometimes it's the smallest, most ordinary objects—the wrapper from your aunt's favorite type of gum, the button from your first interview suit, the packet of seeds you planted to commemorate the birth of your first grandchild—that can be the most meaningful so don't be afraid to rummage through drawers, cupboards, or desk cans to find mementos that speak to you.

In addition to your own mementos, you can purchase symbolic charms or beads to enhance the look and feel of your pendant and include scrapbooking papers or photocopies of personal letters, cards, and/or images to create backgrounds.

It can also be satisfying to select items that have a secret meaning or significance. For example, on the surface, a metal snap could signify your grandmother’s love of sewing but a hidden meaning could be your grandmother’s jokes about being a “snappy dresser.”

Finally, you may choose to display several different kinds of mementos, signifying different aspects of the person or event, or choose a more unified theme.

How To Create A Cherish Pendant

• Metal bezel (shown: copper 20mm square by Ornamentea)
• Assorted papers, such as scrapbook paper, photos, letters, food wrappers, recipe cards, playing cards, greeting cards, postcards
• Small, flat, heat-safe (275 degrees) mementos, such as nails, buttons, keys, charms, seeds
• 1 - 8mm jump ring
• Premade chain or cord necklace
• Amazing Glaze
• White glue (such as Elmer’s)
• Small paintbrush
• 2 pairs of flat-nose pliers
• Pencil
• Toothpick
• Scissors
• Plastic spoon
• Parchment paper
• Baking tray
• Toaster oven

Do not use materials or tools in the kitchen after using them for this project.

1. Choose the bezel for your project. There are a wide range of shapes and sizes available. Remember to check the depth of the bezel, as well as the height and width, to make sure your mementos will be completely covered when finished.
   
   
   
2. Gather your papers and mementos, seeking out those that are flat and will fit easily into the bezel. Make copies of any letters or photographs; put originals away.
   
   
   
3. Trace around the bezel on the paper chosen for the background. This example uses scrapbook paper, but you may use almost any type of paper as long as it is relatively sturdy. Thin papers like tissue paper and vellum may become translucent and tear. Light colors work best, as papers will darken slightly after they are coated with Amazing Glaze.
   
   
   
4. Cut out the shape slightly within the pencil marks. Make sure it fits into the bezel. If needed, trim the paper to fit.
   
   
   
5. Arrange your items in the bezel. Cut smaller papers to layer onto the background.
   
   
6. Glue smaller papers onto background. Using a paintbrush, coat the single paper with a layer of white glue. The glue acts as a barrier between the Amazing Glaze and the paper. Untreated paper will discolor. Let dry.
   
   
   
7. Turn paper over and coat other side with glue. Let dry.
   
   
8. Place a small amount of glue on the bottom of the bezel. Place the paper inside. If you would like your mementos placed precisely in certain places in the bezel, glue them to the paper. Otherwise, the objects may move as you work with the Amazing Glaze.
   
   
9. Place the bezel on a baking tray covered with parchment paper in a low-temperature toaster oven (250 degrees) for 5-10 minutes or until completely dry. Let cool.
   
   
10. Using a plastic spoon, fill the bezel with Amazing Glaze with a slight mound in the middle.
    
    
    
11. Use a dry paintbrush to brush any Amazing Glaze that has seeped over the sides of the bezel.
    
    
    
12. Place baking tray in toaster over at 275 degrees for 2-3 minutes. (Watch oven carefully.) As soon as the Amazing Glaze melts, remove tray from oven.
    
    
13. If any bubbles appear, use toothpick to drag them to the side of the bezel to pop. Let pendant set. Do not touch while wet or you may leave permanent fingerprints. The pendant should set in approximately 5 minutes.
    
    
    
14. Open a jump ring with pliers and attach to top of bezel. Slide jump ring onto chain or cord necklace.