Yin Yang Jewelry
Intro: Yin Yang Jewelry
My first idea to make yin yang jewelry, came when browsing pinterest, where I saw a beautiful wire wrapped yin yang pendant. I tried to make a simplified version of this pendant myself, but lets just say my attempt looked like someone found some wire, bended a base (which didn't go that bad) and after that forgot everything about wire. I do plan on giving this pendant another try, but not for a while.
Then, I thought, I love the yin yang symbol, why don't I go for a somewhat easier option? Using an image and a quote, I created these pieces, a pendant and a pair of (my first ever made) earrings.
I'm really happy with how this turned out, although the white text does have a slight blue hue to it, but that's because of the scale I made this on. When printing it larger, it still would have been there, just not as noticeable.
I really hope you'll like it!
STEP 1: Materials
To make this, you will need:
- cardboard
- glue
- a compass
- pliers
- scissors
- earring hooks
- a jump ring
- a necklace
- wire
- the printed images
STEP 2: Searching Images
When making this, you can decide two things: use the image I created, which is added in step 7, or make your own.
Start by searching the quote you want to use (or an other kind of text) and try to find a large image of the yin yang symbol. I only searched for large images to do so. Copy the picture or make a screenshot of it (libreoffice does not like cutting/pasting).
STEP 3: Adding the Base and Text
Open a new text document. Add your yin yang image and turn it down in size. Zoom in to make working on it a lot easier. Type your text next to it.
STEP 4: Placing the Text
To be able to put the text over the picture, you might need to put wrap -> in background, otherwise the text will just go around it. To fill up the empty space, you can copy/paste your text. Next, change the size of the text to 6. Since there will be empty space again, add the text another time.
Select the text that is completely in the black part and change the font colour to white.
STEP 5: Cleaning Up
Repeat the switch of font colour from black to white for the other text that is in the black.
*optional*
Next you can delete the text that is on the right of the pendant, but I wouldn't recommend doing the same on the left. Instead I made the text white. This is optional because these parts will be cut off later.
STEP 6: The Border
As you can see, there are multiple letters that are both in the white and in the black part. I ended up making the white, but that's completely up to you.
STEP 7: Making It an Image
To save your image, make an as accurate screenshot as possible. To access the final image, double click the second image of this step.
STEP 8: Printing and Cutting
Now that it's an actual image, resizing it is simple. Add it two times with a diameter of 3 cm and 4 times with a diameter of 2 cm. Print the file and cut out the shapes.
STEP 9: Drawing and Cutting
Next, draw 16 circles of 2 cm diameter and 10 circles of 3 cm diameter on your cardboard using your compass. I should warn you not to drop your compass on your hand - it's sharp, very sharp.
Cut out your circles.
STEP 10: Making Eye Pins
Before starting to glue, bend your eye pins. Make one with a length of no more than 2,5 cm and two with a length of no more than 1,5 cm. To keep them balanced out a bit, make the loops of the two smallest ones the same size and smaller than the other pin.
STEP 11: Glueing the Base
Divide your piles of cardboard circles in two. Start by glueing together the first half. Next, glue your eye pin on and add the second half. Let it dry completely before moving on to next step.
STEP 12: Adding the Image
Apply a dab of glue to the cardboard base and spread it as evenly as possible. Next, glue on the image. To coat the image, add a bit of glue and spread it thin and even using a bit of wire. Let this dry before repeating this for the other side.
STEP 13: Repeat
Repeat the glueing for the other two. In the picture above is shown what difference the glue coat makes.
STEP 14: Letting Dry
Waiting for the glue coating to dry will take quite some time, but you shouldn't hesitate to take that time, since otherwise your work will get smeared.
STEP 15: Adding Hooks and Loops
Carefully bend open the earring hooks and the jump rings and add them to the pendants.
STEP 16: Done
And that's it! I hope you liked this 'ible and found it useful, if you did I would love to know :)
30 Comments
Arachne_Weaver 8 years ago
LOVE IT!!!!!! Im definitly gonna try this!!! Its SUPER cute and SUPER easy!!!!!!!
ikr 9 years ago
I love the yin yang symbol.
I love black and white.
I love jewellery.
I love balance.
In short, I love your work: its the ultimate pendant.
"Bows" ^ ^
emilyvanleemput 9 years ago
Thank you so so so much!!!
ikr 9 years ago
i made this, and gave it to my friend.. She loved it!
emilyvanleemput 9 years ago
Did you by any chance take a picture of it? I'd love to see it :)
ikr 9 years ago
i am seriously sorry, I didn't... But I could ask her to wear it so I can take a pic of it, some other day ^^'
ikr 9 years ago
and yeah, I noticed that the number of 'so's were max for me, so I'm very very happy.. He he ^^' thank YOU!
jahcar 9 years ago
The Yin and Yang is a sacred symbol not a fashion statement. What you're doing here is called cultural appropriation and is totally disrespectful.
tofugami 9 years ago
emilyvanleemput 9 years ago
Thank you!
Chopper Rob 9 years ago
emilyvanleemput 9 years ago
Thanks! I used clear glue, which also functions as a coat.
olaw101 9 years ago
emilyvanleemput 9 years ago
That's great! I would love to see a picture of the result!
lindarose92 9 years ago
They are beautiful! I love that you put text on the symbol, it makes it even more original :)
emilyvanleemput 9 years ago
Thanks Linda :D
MicioGatta 9 years ago
Beautiful :)
emilyvanleemput 9 years ago
Thank you!!
Muhaiminah Faiz 9 years ago
Awesome work Emily! the number of jewelries you can make using this technique is endless! Love it :D
emilyvanleemput 9 years ago
Thank you so much Muhaiminah!!