Dog Tag Style Necklace

by Judy Larson

Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): Hole Punching
Skill Level: Beginner

Dog tags, usually worn on ball chains, have become a fashionable jewelry accessory and are made in materials ranging from the most expensive metals, such as platinum to inexpensive materials such as silicone. Some high-end jewelry stores sell precious metal dog tags pave set with rare and expensive gemstones.

Dog Tags as fashion accessories are often times worn in multiples on a chain or paired with a different pendant or charm. Change the size and shape of the rectangle and how it is worn to make the Dog Tag fit your style and design aesthetic. Metal stamps can be used to personalize each tag.

A Dog Tag style pendant does not really require soldering. The pendant made here is a bit more on the designer side. For quick and easy pendants, purchase a 1"x6" piece of silver and cut the strip into ½" sections. Punch holes and attach jump rings before sliding on a ball chain. Or, practice soldering skills by soldering the small jump ring to the rectangle as in Step 5 and not soldering the larger jump ring in place. Adding just that one little jump ring kicks the design level up a notch.

Materials

22 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches

H19-22SM6

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
Price: $53.83
Gold Club Price: $40.37

Add to Bag

2.5mm 20-gauge silver jump ring

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Silver Filled Jump Rings Closed (18ga) 6mm - Pack of 10

S11-20

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.10
Gold Club Price: $1.58

Add to Bag

Add All Items to Cart

Tools

Pro Shear

SHR-544.00

SHR-544.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.95
Gold Club Price: $9.71

Add to Bag

GROBET FILE - BARRETTE CUT 2, 6"

FIL-31.030

FIL-31.030
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $31.20
Gold Club Price: $23.40

Add to Bag

SANDING SPONGES ASST- 5PC- 1EA GRIT 100-400

ABR-600.90

ABR-600.90
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.95
Gold Club Price: $7.46

Add to Bag

Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

Add to Bag

Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

Add to Bag

Magnesia Soldering Block

SOL-455.00

SOL-455.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.95
Gold Club Price: $5.96

Add to Bag

Blazer Big Buddy Turbo Torch, Black

TRCH-8010

TRCH-8010
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $40.00
Gold Club Price: $30.00

Add to Bag

Silver Solder Paste Medium SS70 - 1/4 T.O.

SOL-822.15

SOL-822.15
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $18.95
Gold Club Price: $14.21

Add to Bag

DELUXE 4 HOLE METAL PUNCH

PUN-420.04

PUN-420.04
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $64.95
Gold Club Price: $48.71

Add to Bag

Pickle Pot, 16 Ounces

CLN-584.00

CLN-584.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $31.95
Gold Club Price: $23.96

Add to Bag

NATURE'S TOUCH CITRIC PICKLE, 2LB PLASTIC JAR

CLN-163.00

CLN-163.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $17.95
Gold Club Price: $13.46

Out of Stock

Add All Items to Cart

Instructions

Step 1

Read through all the directions before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the area being worked in.

Determine the size and shape of the tag to be made. In this instance, a scrap of 22 gauge Argentium sheet dictated the length and width of the tag. On a piece of scratch paper, draw out a rectangle the size desired. Slightly round the ends of the rectangle. Cut the rounded rectangle out of the scratch paper. Use the scratch paper as a template. Place the template on the sheet metal. Use the retractable ultra fine point Sharpie to draw a line on the sheet metal around the edge of the inside of the template. Note: This is not a scaled down version of a military Dog Tag.

Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace

Step 2

Use metal shears or a saw to cut out the dog tag shape. File and refine the edges.

Step 3

Mark one end of the shape on the back side with a metal content stamp, if desired. This is also the time designs can be stramped or engraved on the front of the rectangle.

Step 4

Use sanding pads in increasing grits to finish refining and polishing the surface of the rectangle. See Step 12 for a finishing option.

Step 5

Place the rectangle on a magnesia soldering block. Place a small dot of medium paste solder in the center along the top of the rectangle close to the edge. Press the small jump ring into the paste solder. If needed, center the jump ring. Heat the rectangle until the solder flows.

Step 6

Use the deluxe hole punch to punch a 16-gauge hole in the center of the jump ring. It may be necessary to sand or file burs on the back side of the hole.

Step 7

Open the 16-gauge jump ring and insert into the hole in the tag. Close the jump ring. Turn the jump ring until the jump ring seam is inside the tag. Place a SMALL amount (I used WAY too much) of medium paste solder around the base of the jump ring on the back side of the tag.

Step 8

Place the tag right side up on a magnesia soldering block. Make sure the tag is flush with the surface of the block by pressing the back half of the ring into a groove in the block. Heat until the solder flows.

Step 9

After the pendant is cool, use flat jaw pliers to make the large jump ring into a slight oval shape.

Step 10

Pickle, rinse and dry the piece.

Step 11

Do any final refining of the pendant that may be needed.

Step 12

Tumble the pendant for several hours to work harden and polish it. The shiny surface of the pendant will get scratched up after only a few wears, like this one. A satin finish on at least the visible side might be a better choice.

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!