inspired ideas

Friendship Pins

A project from Charm School Jewels

by Melissa Seley

When I was in grade school, one fad was the making and exchanging of friendship pins. Friendship pins were created by stringing seed beads onto safety pins. These little tokens were then given to your good friends and were to be worn on the cross section of your shoe strings. The more loaded your shoe string, the better!

If all of your friendship pins of old have since managed to bounce off of your shoes while jumping rope, then perhaps this variation can take their place. You will be able to wear these on a sweater, use them as a package embellishment, or even as a place marker for your tea table.

Supply List

• Acrylic Prism Style Beads (Acrylic works better because it is more lightweight if you plan to wear it. Also try to find the type that is flat on the back and faceted on the front for ease in assembly)
• Modge Podge® with gloss finish
• Foam Brush
• Wallet size photocopies of vintage photos (reproduced on regular copy paper works best)
• Kilt pins (found in the jewelry section of the craft store)
• 6mm & 9mm jump rings
• Charms of your choice
• 1/2” width ribbon or seam binding
• Scissors
• Needle nose pliers
• Straight pin

Step #1

Use a foam brush to apply a moderate coat of Modge Podge to the front of the photocopy of your choice. It is okay to spread this glue beyond where the prism will be placed.
Step #2
After applying the Modge Podge, place the prism on top of the area you want framed, with the flat side down and the faceted side facing up. You have a little time to move the prism into place before the Modge Podge begins to dry. When the piece is arranged to your satisfaction, press down firmly on the prism to affix it to the paper. Release and allow to dry.

Step #3
After drying is complete, trim the excess paper to the edge of the prism.

Step #4
After trimming, apply a light coat of Modge Podge to the backside of the prism. This will give the back a glossy finish look while sealing the image as well. Allow to dry.

Step #5
After allowing the piece to dry, check to make sure that the edges of the paper are fixed to the prism. If there are any loose areas, brush in a very thin amount of Modge Podge to the underneath side of the paper and run you finger around the edge while pressing down. Allow to dry once again.

Step #6
When piece is completely dry, you will need to pierce a hole through the paper that is covering the opening of the prism. Do this with a straight pin.








Step #7
You are now ready to assemble your Friendship Pin. We will attach the prism and charms to the kilt pin with jump rings.
To open the jump ring, grasp each side with a pair of needle nose pliers. You want the split in the ring positioned between the pliers. Open the ring with a twisting motion so that one side comes toward you and the other side opens away from you.

Step #8
Thread a 9 mm jump ring through the prism and then through the middle hoop of your kilt pin.
Step #9
To close the jump ring, you will again grasp each side and use a reverse twisting motion so that the ring is in an enclosed position.

Step #10
Use the same process to attach your other charms. The only difference is that you will use 6mm jump rings for the side charms.

Step #11
After attaching all three pieces, finish your Friendship Pin by tying the bow above the prism. Narrow gauge ribbon (1/2”) works best because you don’t want a bulky bow.

Voila! You've got a beautiful Friendship Pin.





Here are two versions of the same project.