Making a Recycled Paper Pendant

ShirleyE
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 239 Posts

February 29, 2016

pink and white flowered recycled pendant These pendants are easy to make out of old envelopes, magazines, or gift wrap. They are sturdy, solid, and very pretty. If you love to construct beaded jewelry you can make a stash of them to incorporate into your designs or simply thread one onto a chain or cord for a dainty necklace.

Supplies:

old magazines
used envelopes
PVA (white) glue or mod podge
pen
scissors
cardboard from food packaging e.g. a cornflakes box
1 jump ring for each pendant
1 fine drill bit (about 1.5 - 2mm)

Steps:

First you will need a template for your pendant. Draw a shape onto the card. Use something to draw around if you find that easier.

Cut out your shape.

Take 4 pieces of paper, cut from the envelopes, roughly of the same size. Generously spread glue over one of the pieces of paper.

Lay another on top of it. Smooth out any air bubbles.

Repeat with the other 2 pieces.

Now stick the 2 double pieces together so you have 4 layers.

Choose a page of a magazine that has some pretty patterns or pictures, or use some gift wrap that you like.

Cut out 2 pieces.

Apply glue generously to the back of one of them.

Stick this onto one side.

Cut around to make it easier to work with.

Turn it over and glue the other piece to the back.

Place your template on top and draw around it.

Cut out your shape.

You can leave it flat or while it is still wet you can, curve, pleat, or mould it into a shape you like.

Give your pendant plenty of time to dry and turn solid. I like to leave mine a couple of days. It will go very hard and tough like plastic. Here is another I made using some pretty gift wrap.