Mother's Necklace

I have admired this necklace by Lisa Leonard for a while, but the $48 price tag doesn't appeal to me.  I realized that I had everything to make this, except the blanks (little disks) and an extra necklace chain.  That little problem was solved when I used a couple of 40% off coupons at Hobby Lobby, and was able to make this very necklace for less than $10.

Supplies:
9mm round stamping blank
6mm Pearl - 1st Choice, 2nd Choice
1 Headpin
Open Jump rings (you'll need 1 for each blank and 1 for the pearl) - I used 6mm because that's what I had on hand, but will probably pick up some smaller ones later to replace them.
Necklace chain - mine is 18"
1/8" Letter stamps - I got mine here
Hammer
Fine point black sharpie
Charcoal colored stain/glaze (optional)
Round nose pliers*
Chain nose/Flat nose pliers*
Side Cutters*
*You can also get tool sets at Wal-Mart for $10-$15

First, prepare your blanks.
Stamp the initial into your blank.  I did mine on a non-carpeted floor with some scrap fabric between the disk and the floor to prevent scratching (both the disk and the floor).  With your sharpie, trace the indentation left by the stamp.  I wanted mine too look a little more aged, so I dabbed some charcoal colored glaze on a paper towel, and pressed my blanks into the glaze.  Repeat for each initial.  Add a jump ring to each blank, and you're done with this part.

Next, you'll make your pretty little pearl embellishment.  Using your pearl, headpin, and tools, you will want to use a wire wrapping technique to create the little loop with the headpin.  I can't really describe wire wrapping, but I found a couple of videos here and here that show how it's done.  Add the wire wrapped pearl to a jump ring and gather up your blanks.

Now all you have to do is thread the chain through the 3 jump rings,  and you have yourself a brand new necklace!

The great thing about this necklace is that it is incredibly easy to add more initials, if needed, and you can make embellishments out of colored pearls or gemstones, and switch them out to match your outfit!