Inspired by our Wandering Journey theme, this necklace was designed with a family vacation to North Carolina in mind, spending our evenings in the mountains under a sky full of shooting stars. I thought the opening phrase of the Journey to Be poem by Mark R Slaughter was perfect for the focal.

"I think Ill journey out some day to wondrous lands afar, Or even chart a journey to a distant blazing star."
'Copyright Mark R Slaughter 2010'

Cut, file, texture, imprint, distress, paint & drill an altered blank canvas to create customized pendant shapes & cool metal components! The possibilities are endless!

Vintaj findings:
AHW010- Skinny Journal Buckle - 49x12.5mm
AHW013- Handle Bric-A-Brac - 30.5x6mm
ADV027- Compass Decorivet -26mm
BP010- 3x3 Altered Blank Canvas
BC70- Scalloped Bead Cap - 6mm
BC150- Hobnail Bead Cap 7mm
CH110- Elongated Oval Chain 11.5 x 6mm
EP1- 1 inch Eye Pin
EP15- 1.5 inch Eye Pin
HPF15- 1.5 inch Pearl Head Pin
JR20- 4.75mm Jump Ring
JR40- 7.25mm Jump Ring

Tools & Supplies:
Rosary / round nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
Bale making pliers
Clauss snips/cutting shears Clauss.com
Metal File Set
Metal screw down hole punch
1.5mm Letter Stamp Set
Side cutter
Ball pein hammer
Steel block
Rubber block or sandbag
Fine steel wool or sanding block
Adirondack Jet Acrylic Paint Dabbers
Sharpie
Ruler

Other Materials:
Lampwork Beads handmade by Melissa Rediger of Sea of Glass
Gunmetal Clip Rings-Things.com
Hinged Picture Frame Rings-Things.com
Apatite, Kyanite & Pearls Beadaholique.com
Vintage German Glass Beads

STEP by STEPS

Step 1: Create Personalized Altered Blank Shapes.
A. Use a sharpie to measure two 1 x rectangles on the altered blank canvas.
B. Use cutting shears or tin snips to cut out rectangles.
C. Use metal file(s) to smooth the edges.
D. Place steel block on rubber block or sandbag. Place blank on steel block. Use ball pein hammer to texture the edges of blanks.
E: Use a 1.5mm letter stamp set & 1lb brass hammer to imprint poem, split between the two blanks.
F. Apply black acrylic paint dabbers to the surface of blanks. Use a paper towel to remove the excess paint, leaving it only in the creases to accentuate the words. Check out our Letter Imprinting Technique Video for instructions!
G. Use the metal screw down hole punch or hole punch pliers to create four holes in each blank approx. 2/8 from each edge.

Step 2: Prepare Arte Metal.
A. Hammer & flatten two arte metal handle bric-a-bracs for a distressed look.
B. Use small end of bale making pliers to bend buckle in half.
C. Use fine grit sanding block to buff the surface of compass decorivet.
D. Use round nose pliers to form simple loops with each rivet point to create a connector.

Step 3: Connect Components.
A. Place altered blank stating second phrase of poem into the hinged glass frame.
B. Use chain link and 7.25mm jump rings to attach hinged glass frame to the top altered blank.
C. Layer the distressed arte metal handles and attach to the left side of top altered blank.
D. Attach the gunmetal clip to the right side of top altered blank and accent with a pearl drop .
E. Secure gunmetal clip to the loop you created on the arte metal buckle.
F. Create bead links with bead caps, gemstones, German glass & lampwork beads.
G. Alternate beads and connect using chain links. Incorporate arte metal compass decorivet turned connector into your right bead strand. Finish strands with chain.

Your necklace is complete, Enjoy!