Introduction: Keepsake Pendant
Turn a piece of nature into a keepsake pendant. You could use a flower, leaf, grain of sand, or whatever you decide.
Step 1: Find an Old CD
Use packing tape to cover the entire label of the CD. Cut the CD in half. Remove the tape. The silvering should come right off.
Handle the pieces by the edges to avoid unwanted finger prints.
Step 2: Prepare Your Keepsake
Using a hot glue gun, place a small glob of glue on a piece of CD. Make sure it’s the same side you removed the silvering from.
Place your keepsake on the glue and then add more glue on top of it. Use another piece of CD, silvering side on the inside, to sandwich it all together. Press the pieces together to remove air bubbles from the between the layers.
Use a socket to trace a circle on to the keepsake. Cut out the circle with heavy scissors.
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Step 3: Clean It Up
Mount a bolt into a drill press. Attaché the rough circle with a piece double sided tape to the head of the bolt. Spin it round and use sand paper to clean up the edges.
DO NOT allow the this to get hot. If you do the glue may separate and allow air it between the layers.
Step 4: Make a Bottle Cap
Follow the directions on Vintage Locket to make a bottle cap.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Vintage-Locket/
Once you have one made, drill a hole in the back and use a rotary tool to expand the hole. Leave a small lip around the edge. Roll up some sand paper and run it through the hole to help clean up the circle.
Step 5: Roll the Edge Over
If you want, at this point you can solder a loop on the cap. Otherwise use the mechanical method with a paperclip.
Place the keepsake into the cap. Hammer the edge of the cap at a 45 degree angle so it rolls over the keepsake. You'll have to butt the cap into a corner. I used a clamp on a work bench.
Sand out any dings. Repolish the entire assembly with polishing compound.
Step 6: Fit the Clip
Drill holes on opposite ends of the cap.
Use round nose pliers to form a paper clip as shown in the picture. Start by extending a paper clip. Form a loop in the center of the wire. Bend the free ends away from the loop at 90 degrees. Then form a circle with a socket bit. Bend in the holding points and cut it to fit.
Place the clip onto the keepsake.
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66 Comments
8 years ago
I wanted try it out, and finally had the chance. Lots of room for improvement, but much learned as well. Thanks for the great idea.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Great! Thanks for sharing that. We'll done.
9 years ago on Introduction
That is so fancy. I'll have to change some things around, but thanks!
9 years ago
Great!! I'll try to make one
10 years ago on Introduction
Now I now what to do with my unreadable cds..
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Yeah! Me too.
11 years ago on Introduction
Useful invention.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Yes it is!
11 years ago on Introduction
I'm having a little trouble getting the silvering off. I applied the tape, cut, and peeled the tape off, but nothing happened. Is there some special something that I'm forgeting to do?
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
When you peel make sure you start on the cut edge of the cd.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Oh, ok. I thought there was something else that had to be done.
11 years ago on Introduction
Nice use of my unreadable cd. Thanks.
11 years ago on Introduction
i am going to try it but use macaw feathers!
11 years ago on Introduction
Hi :)
ill try to make it today.
11 years ago on Introduction
You are awesome! Trying to make it now.
11 years ago on Introduction
Nifty
11 years ago on Introduction
Niceeee....
11 years ago on Introduction
I love this. You make my CD useful, otherwise I would have trowed it.
12 years ago on Introduction
Such an interesting way of using a CD. I've made a few pendants after your teardrop instructable and I'm currently working on the vintage locket. Now I have to try this on too!
Keep up the amazing, innovative ideas and I'm excited to see what you do next!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Right now I'm working on a heart locket. I thought I would be able to use the same process from a circular shape but was I ever so wrong.
A heart is a much more complicated shape to neatly produce. It's been tough finding out the process but it's coming along. I'll post it soon.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.