Dog Tags Jewelry for Boys | Personalized Names Set in Faux Stone
They Look Real Rocks But Are Actually Handmade Using Polymer Clay:
My 10 year old son (Fisher) has been invited to two of his friend's birthday parties this month. And since he will most likely be changing schools next year, I thought it would be nice if he could give them something special to remember him by. Something more personal than the typical video game or electronic types of gifts.
Racking my brain trying to figure out what could work, I looked to my polymer clay for inspiration. The faux pebble beads from last weeks library tutorial were still fresh on my mind. Plus I had some alphabet rubber stamps close by, that seemed to be begging for attention.
The idea began to gel. What if I used the stamps to press words into the polymer clay faux stones. You know, like those polished rocks in the gift shops with words like 'Hope' and 'Dream" and other inspirational words.
Then, as if they had a mind of their own, the ideas ran from words, to names, to a play on words.
Boys are always saying, 'This rocks', 'That rocks', 'I rock'. So why not confirm it with some personalized dog tags jewelry. 'Alex Rocks' and 'Seth Rocks'. Make them out of faux rock and shape them into something a 10 year old boy would think is cool.
I can see all kinds of potential for an idea like this. It wouldn't have to be just for boys either. All those Zen words like, Peace, Love and Harmony could be etched into stone. Birth dates are another idea.
So what do you think? Does this idea rock or what!? I hope Fisher's friends thinks it's as cool as I do. That will be the true test.
Filed Under: 11: Bead Projects by Comment. 
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Comments on Dog Tags Jewelry for Boys | Personalized Names Set in Faux Stone
6:23 am
I think it is an excellent idea. I don't have any sons but was always stumped for a gift when my daughters were invited to a birthday party. As kids get older so do the price of their "toys", especially adult men. As the says goes. "the only difference between men and boys is the size (and cost) of their toys."
Thanks for another great idea. i am going to start one for my nephews.
Have a great Mother's Day.
.
7:46 am
This is such a fun idea. I think I will make one for my hubby to put on his desk. Thanks for the inspiration. Cindy Rocks!
5:21 pm
The faux pebble beads are a great addition to all your other ideas, Cindy. I think the granddaughters will have fun with this and why not a "pink" rock if they so choose? This also gives them an idea for later on or maybe even now to make for Dad to bring back to Texas in August. Wouldn't he be impressed? Will have to think of something else in your repertoire for Mom. Going to be quite the summer vacation for them and me, Nana. Thanks, Cindy.
5:42 pm
Cindy, what a coincidence! I went to sleep last night thinking about stamping words and names into faux stone clay pendants with the alphabet stamps I received last week, and today you posted about that very thing! My idea was to try to backfill them in a contrasting colour clay. Have you ever tried that? I know it would be finicky but not any more so than many other jewellery techniques. Maybe worth a try!
I'm going to sign up for your videos as I've found so many helpful hints on your site. Thanks for being so thorough in spreading your knowledge.
9:50 am
Dear Sue,
I do this technique with my pendants. A bit tricky, as you are stamping into soft clay, but it works. Just stamp, being careful not to distort the shape of your object and bake. Then when it is cooled (learned the hard way on this)smear some contrasting color clay into the letter crevices. Be patient and it will all get in there. Bake again. If it's not all covered, you can always go back and add some more clay. Have fun!
.
8:32 pm
Maria,
Thank you for reminding me to bake the pieces before I try backfilling the letters. I'd have probably tried to do it all at once. Do you have a website where we could see your pendants? Thanks again for sharing.
11:22 am
Sue, you're very welcome. I'm not online yet, but hope to be soon :)
5:22 pm
Thanks everyone! Great idea Sue! Thanks for passing that along and for helping out Maria! As you can see I'm getting so busy, it's hard for me to answer everyone's questions right away. Love it when you guys help each other out!
9:13 pm
Colored Liquid Clay could work too for backfilling. I did something like that on one of my pendant. I mixed Liquid Fimo with blue "Glow in the dark" Fimo and I filled the spiral in the pendant with it…
5:34 pm
Cindy, what a fabulous idea! Can't wait to try this with the TLS I picked up last week. Thanks for the idea.
5:13 pm
@Cindy G: I bet that turned out really cool. Especially in the dark. Great tip!
@Sue W: It is really fun to play around with the liquid clay. Will have to do some videos on this! Let us know how it goes.
1:29 pm
How cool are these Dog Tags? My nephews are fascinated with my polymer clay, especially the younger one. He has made a few beads with me, but his mom gets concerned that it is too "feminine" an activity. Silly, I know, especially since this little guy couldn't be more rough 'n tough. But, he's also creative. I'm going to do this project with him — he AND his mother will both love it! In fact, as soon as my "permanent" work area is set up, I'll do this project with all of the kids (7 of them…)
1:49 pm
Thanks Phaedrakat for posting a comment here at this "older" post. Besides all of the thoughtful information and advice that you are always adding, the other great thing which you may not realize, is that Google really likes it too.
Recent commenting activity tells the search engines that this topic still has "value" …and that means they will allow the page to show up for people who are looking for information about polymer clay dog tags, Jewelry for Boys, Personalized Name Jewelry, Faux Stone, etc. A good thing :-)
If I don't always get a chance to say thank you to each and everyone of your posts, please know that I do read everyone and really do appreciate your involvement here.
By the way, the link by my name will take you to an article where I outlined some tips about helping kids to get started with polymer clay. The info might help with your nephews and nieces.
2:48 pm
Thanks, Cindy! I appreciate the help, and I'm glad I'm able to help you in this small way. My hope is that someone will find cute projects like this and it beckons them into the polymer clay world. That's great for all of us! PC is such a wonderful medium, but it still has a long way to go before the average person recognizes what it is. I'm always amazed when I meet someone who says, "Polymer what?" (or something to that effect.) I've embarrassed my family several times by whipping out a cane for guests, wanting to show everyone the cool reduction properties of polymer (don't worry, I don't do it at dinner or anything…) Actually, people are pretty impressed (it's just that my family gets a bit tired of MY polymer addiction…)
I long for a day when every man/woman/child is familiar with PC and its fantastic artistic properties. What a happy, beautiful world that would be! Hehe — Polymer Peace on Earth!