Daily Wire Tip Aug. 11: Converting Pins to Bracelet Charms

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
August 11, 2010

Question:

Related to the Tip of the Day for July 14; any thoughts on how to convert these service or commemorative pins to charms for a bracelet?

I have a son in the service, plus a drawer full of Boy Scout awards from both of my sons. I’d love to make bracelets for their future wives.

-Cheri in Plains, Montana

Answer:

What a great idea, Cheri! My advice would be to make a simple frame wrap around the item, after removing the pin and smoothing as in my original answer. Instead of forming a traditional pendant bail at the top, form a short, two-wire "bail style", folding the wires towards the front, and inserting this "charm bail" into the bracelet chain link before wrapping the charm bail closed. This will eliminate the weak spot of a jump ring.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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6 Comments

1. 

   Sonja

   August 11, 2010 at 8:32 am

   Hello, Cheri. Are you referring to the Cub Scout belt loops (metal) or the Boy Scout rank pins that are given to the parents? (Traditionally. the mother is pinned.) Unless something has changed very recently, the badges are embroidered cloth and sewn on tho a sash for wearing and display. Besides being the size of a quarter plus, I don’t think they would hold up well as a braclet. If you mean the rank pins, follow Dale’s advice. If you mean the belt loops, you probably don’t need the back and could cut at the sides and file first, I would imagine. Dale could tell you better. As for the badges, take them to Michael’s and have them framed in a shadow box (or buy one and do it yourself) for each future wife.

   Just a question – Are these future wives in place yet? Remember that sometimes scouting memorabila means a lot more to us scout families and active scout parents than John and Jane Q Public. Wait and be sure they ‘deserve’ it and will appreciate it. Or save it for your grandchildren?!?!?

   Best Wishes
2. 

   Diana

   August 11, 2010 at 10:16 am

   It would be nice if you could give an example. Like written or video.
   • 

     dalecgr

     August 11, 2010 at 3:10 pm

     Hi Diana, to do so I would first have to have a pin like those mentioned to use. The two I did were done many years ago. When someone asks how to make something, often my brain just formulates as it is ‘wired’ from years of experience : )
3. 

   cj

   August 11, 2010 at 2:00 pm

   Hi Cheri – I don’t have any solution to your query, BUT I used to live in Plains, many years ago. We lived (camped while preparing to build our house) up on the mountain, ???? ranchettes, that long ago, I can’t remember. We loved it there and would have never left had family not needed us in Idaho. I was so shocked to see that you were from Plains, MT, I just HAD to leave a comment.

   I will be interested to see what the solution is, though. Hope all is going well with you and yours in Plains. I envy you! cj
4. 

   Verita Shaak

   August 11, 2010 at 2:07 pm

   What a great idea! We frequently have these sorts of memorabilia that we would like to show off and this is a wonderful way to display them. Dale, your advice on how to do so is perfect.
5. 

   Mitzi Koons

   August 11, 2010 at 4:01 pm

   Another option that you might want to consider is to display the lapel pins, patches and other memorabilia on a Bauble Board – they are inexpensive custom shaped display boards and you could get one personalized with the name of each of your son’s as a gift. I think they would love to have this displayed in their home!