Bottle Cap Brooches
Intro: Bottle Cap Brooches
First off, I just wanted to say that there are many other great instructables on making similar projects, I just wanted to add mine to the list.
I love making little things like this, and these are very easy and cheap to make. The result is a cool little brooch that you can attach anywhere. You can modify this design to make magnets, necklaces, keychains or whatever else you can think of as well.
I am now selling these on my Etsy shop as well:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/172103892/map-caps-resin-filled-bottle-cap?
What you'll need:
-Bottle caps
-Whatever images you would like to place inside the caps (I got an old atlas at a flea market for $3)
-Some watch pieces (Optional)
-Something to use as a template for cutting your images to fit inside the caps (I used a 1" diameter washer)
-Epoxy or super glue of some kind
-Casting resin (Most hobby/craft stores sell this)
-Hobby knife or scissors
-Brooch pin
-File or sandpaper
-Pen, pencil or marker for tracing your template
I love making little things like this, and these are very easy and cheap to make. The result is a cool little brooch that you can attach anywhere. You can modify this design to make magnets, necklaces, keychains or whatever else you can think of as well.
I am now selling these on my Etsy shop as well:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/172103892/map-caps-resin-filled-bottle-cap?
What you'll need:
-Bottle caps
-Whatever images you would like to place inside the caps (I got an old atlas at a flea market for $3)
-Some watch pieces (Optional)
-Something to use as a template for cutting your images to fit inside the caps (I used a 1" diameter washer)
-Epoxy or super glue of some kind
-Casting resin (Most hobby/craft stores sell this)
-Hobby knife or scissors
-Brooch pin
-File or sandpaper
-Pen, pencil or marker for tracing your template
STEP 1: Use Your Template and Trace Some Cut-outs
I used an old washer for my template, as it just happened to fit perfectly inside a bottle cap. Use you template and pen/pencil/marker to trace your cut-outs and then use your scissors or knife to cut them out. The more precise you are with your cutting, the better the finished product will look.
STEP 2: Glue Your Inserts Into the Caps
Get out your epoxy or super glue and put a dab or two on the inside of the cap and then press your insert down and run your pinky finger along the inside edge to ensure a snug fit. Remember to only use a small amount of glue, especially if your inserts are a light colour because the glue could bleed through. You may think that if your images are snug enough you don't have to glue them down. This may be alright, but I would definitely recommend glue because once you put the casting resin in the cap, the paper images can float to the top.
STEP 3: Glue in Your Watch Parts
Like I said, this is totally optional, but it gives a nice and unique touch to your project. I got a large lot of old watch gears from eBay for about $10. Decide where you want to place them and apply a small dab of glue where you want them and glue the pieces down. Again, the reason for gluing is to ensure that nothing floats to the top once you put the casting resin in the cap.
STEP 4: Mix and Pour in Your Resin
Just follow the directions carefully that are on the package of your casting resin. Make absolutely sure that you measure precisely and mix thoroughly. If you don't it can cause the resin to never fully harden and remain permanently tacky to the touch. Just pour it in very slowly and make sure you don't let it overflow. I used approximately 2 millilitres of resin per cap. Generally, you have to allow about 24 hours for the resin to fully set before you can handle it.
STEP 5: Glue on Your Pins
I got a lot of 100 brooch pins on eBay for just a couple of dollars. Now, just file or sand the two surfaces (back of the cap and back of the pin) that are going to mate and clean them. Then just apply a bit of epoxy glue to the back of the pin and glue it to the back of the cap. Give it a bit of time to dry and you're all set!
STEP 6: Pin It Up Somewhere
Now all that's left to do is put your new brooch somewhere (shirt, jacket, backpack , etc.), or give one to a friend for a little gift. Like I said, you can substitute the last step if you'd rather make magnets or keychains or necklaces out of them instead.
Hope you enjoy!
Hope you enjoy!
16 Comments
marialescor 10 years ago
Oncer 7 years ago
If you google "crown corks" you can buy new unused in a variety of colours very cheaply. Perhaps not the re-cycled ethos but then again I never see that type of bottle cap in my household re cycling.
ctx1985 10 years ago
Thanks! Well, I first just hand-bent and reformed any that were bent to begin with. If that doesn't work, you could try lightly tapping the dents out with an automotive bodywork hammer or pushing them out with a solid metal object. Then, once the resin has cured, it actually strengthens the cap and it holds it's shape pretty well. I actually got the pins off of eBay for a few dollars and glued them to the back of the caps with epoxy glue. Hope that helps!
Emperor Towhid 9 years ago
Nice thank you very much
ctx1985 9 years ago
No problem! Glad you like it!
Eldalote 9 years ago
This is really cool!
ctx1985 9 years ago
Thank you! :)
tmatovic 9 years ago
Is there anything similar to casting resin? Because,unfortunately,there aren't any craft stores in my town. :P
ctx1985 9 years ago
Hey, yeah you can use 2 part epoxy glue as well. It usually comes in a double syringe type tube. Just make sure that both of the parts of the epoxy are clear and not a yellowish colour, otherwise when it cures, you'll have a sort of yellow haze to it and it won't look very good. You can usually pick up epoxy glue from any hardware store. Hope that helps :)
ctx1985 10 years ago
Thanks! Glad you like them :)
TechKid67 10 years ago
These are really fantastic. Are you against other's making a profit off of this idea or concept, because I would love to sell these at a craft market
ctx1985 10 years ago
Thanks! No, not at all. I sell them on my Etsy store right now as well. Go ahead!
jessyratfink 10 years ago
Great project! :D
ctx1985 10 years ago
Oh thanks so much! I don't know why it wasn't working before. Is it some little glitch with the new editor? Anyways thanks so much for fixing it :)
rvt1985 10 years ago
ctx1985 10 years ago