Quick and Easy Postcard Charms

Welcome to the May edition of the Designer's Connection Blog Hop! Our theme this month is quick and easy jewelry.

I love vintage postcards. Sometime not long ago, I found some old letters and postcards at an estate sale that had that old feel and look you just can't duplicate. I scanned the postcards in and used them to make everything from pillows, t-shirts, placemats and lately, these little postcard charms.

I added them to my etsy shop and got a pretty good response. But I longed to make something with them and finally, last week, I got the chance to create a sweet little bracelet along with some clever packaging for gift giving.I must confess, if you are willing to search out old postcards (can be pricey, but bargains are out there too- you just have to find them), scan them as a photo file and size them correctly, they are pretty easy to make. Here, I show you the basics:

 
Purchase a 1" wide (or 1 1/2" for wider charms) wood strip from your local craft supply or home improvement store. Choose a soft wood like basswood or even balsa, that can be cut with your handy dandy hand saw. If you have a dremel tool, consider using that. I have one but truth be known it scares the dickens out of me. Measure and cut the pieces so that they are rectangular, resembling a letter or postcard. Sand any uneven edges and wipe pieces with a tack cloth.

 Next, choose from pretty colors to compliment your postcards. I picked DecoArt Americana Acrylics Paints in Boysenberry, Antique White, Bahama Blue and Warm White. Paint the wood pieces, front and back.

Once your pieces are painted, print out the scanned and sized postcards. Remember to scan both the front and back of them as you will want to finish the front and back of the charm. Also, choose heavy, good quality paper which will make the images look better and be easier to work with when decoupaging. Additionally, I usually size my postcards just a little smaller than my wood piece, you will see why later.

Cut them out with small sharp scissors. Here is a photo of them cut put plus the original in the background so you can see where I started from.

Now it is time to decoupage. I like to use Aleenes Collage Pauge, along with a foam brush.

Once you have applied the postcards to the front and back of the wood, dry brush the edges using DecoArt's Lamp Black. This is why I leave a little border so I can add a little finish to the edges. If you dont feel comfortable dry brushing, you could also use dark chalk ink on the edges.

To create holes to insert the jump rings, I used a piercing tool, but you could also use one of those small hand drills, found at your craft supply store. They are very inexpensize.

I added flat backed Swarovski stones to my postcards. I chose very small pieces, ranging from 2mm-4mm to keep scale with the postcard.

Of course, I had to create some super fun packaging for this project so I painted (warm white) a small paper mache shadow box from C and T publishing and stamped the sides of it, dry brushing the top. Create a little custom tag for your bracelet, it makes a great gift.

 
 
If you dont recognize the metal flower embellishment on the tag and want to know how I made it, hop over to my post on updating old scrapbooking supplies you very well have in your own stash.

Click here to see these postcard charms on my etsy shop

Live Life Creatively,

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

Comments

[handbags for less]

As soon as married, combined race partners encounter far more decisions concerning vacation traditions, non secular worship and kids.

[Chanel Clutch more discount]

That looks amazing!

[Carmen]

Brilliant!!! I have boxes and boxes of old postcards and Valentines and have long puzzled over how to use them. This is such a clever and beautiful way to enjoy treasured cards! Gorgeous!

[Michelle Frae Cummings]

I LOVE anything miniature and these are just darling! :)

[CindiB]

What a clever take on using vintage post cards! Very cute!

[Molly Smith]

These are awesome charms, Melony! Enjoyed reading your process in making them. I hope they sell out!
-Molly

[Debra Quartermain]

These are charming, such a vintage feel!

[Terry Ricioli]

What a great way to incorporate the postcards into jewelry!

[Kathy]

Hi Melony!
I love these! I've been collecting vintage postcards for about a year now...got the bug from my dad as he has a vast collection from his hometown in NH. I made a wall quilt for him using images scanned onto fabric, but really love this idea. Thanks!