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Make a Steampunk Pocketwatch Pendant

23 June 2010 23,645 views 10 Comments

by heather

I made these faux pocketwatch charms for a steampunk swap. Can you guess what I made these pendants out of? I'll give you a hint: I got some of my supplies in the office supply store, and some of them in the hardware store. I didn't want to buy readymade "steampunk" parts and pieces at the craft store, so I worked with what I had on hand, and a couple of generic jewelry-making supplies. Okay, did you figure it out? I used metal washers (hardware store), and rhinestone brads (office supply), as well as jump rings and a link from an oversized copper chain.

Now, if you're not sure what steampunk is, or how to evoke it in your creations, Beading Daily had some good info on capturing steampunk:

One of the differences between steampunk- and vintage-style is the more mechanical aspect of steampunk elements, using pieces which once functioned rather than which were purely decorative. The exception would be fantasy charms and references, especially winged creatures such as angels and birds, which are characteristic of the Victorian times in general...

Try giving your own work this look with some of these other objects popularly considered to evoke a steampunk era:

Civil War-era military trim
Military buttons and buckles
Leather straps
Insignia, such as medals of honor
Nautical symbols of the time period
Fantasy charms, especially winged creatures: birds, angels, and fairies
Old interesting keys and locks
Watch parts and watch faces
Gears, wheels, and cogs
Fancy hinges, hardware, and mechanical bits circa 1900s
Typewriter keys or printing press-type pieces
Old monocle and eyeglasses lenses
Chain with links, especially brass, steel, and gold colored
Scientific ephemera: pieces of machinery, lab gizmos, glass vials, etc.

So now that you are more familiar with steampunk, I'll tell you how I made my steampunk pocketwatch charm.

Project Materials:

1 metal washer (package of 25 for about $2), $.10
2 rhinestone brads (package of 100 for about $3), $.06
1 link from a copper chain (strand for about $2), $.10
2 jump rings, (package for $2), $.10
E6000 glue, on hand

Total: about $.36 per charm

Find out how I made it on Page 2

Disclosure: this article may contain affiliate links or other forms of sponsored content. Opinions are 100% the author's. Full disclosure policy.

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10 Comments »

Whim Wham said:

Neat idea! Love the metal stamping on the washer that makes it look like a clock. Too cute!
Great article link defining steampunk too. =)

# 23 June 2010 at 10:27 am

The Answer Is Chocolate said:

Oh thank you for this. Last month, I bought a “bag o watch parts” at a street fair and have only used a fraction of them for one project so far but want to do some more so this is great inspiration!

# 23 June 2010 at 11:09 am

Mich L. said:

Those are so so great! I am dying for that bail idea. Brad into clock hands?!?!? Too smart for words. I love that you didn’t use pre-made steampunk components. These are also such a nice size, and I love the simplicity of it while still keeping that clockwork feel. I kinda really want one.

# 23 June 2010 at 11:09 am

Rachel said:

These are so cool! I love tiny things. Thanks so much for the how-to, I’ll be linking.

# 23 June 2010 at 3:04 pm

Jenny said:

Oh my sweet thrifty Jesus. I must make this immediately.

# 23 June 2010 at 7:25 pm

Bridgette said:

Oh…..I am sitting here trying to decide how to tell you how much I LOVE these! Maybe I should just give you my mailing address! hahaha Just AWESOME! LOVE THEM! ~Bridgette

# 23 June 2010 at 9:00 pm

Big Beautiful Necklaces out of Broken Jewelry | Croq Zine - The Blog said:

[...] one uses a steampunk “pocketwatch” charm I made (the circular part) and simply has wings and some pretty beads on each side. Simple, but [...]

# 13 July 2010 at 10:57 am

donnalee said:

VERY VERY CLEVER! just what i needed to make charms for a swap. THNAK YOU SO MUCH!!! blest be :)

# 11 November 2011 at 12:23 pm

shelbi said:

Omg these are amazing! And just what I need! Trying to plan a mad hatter tea party wedding on a tight budget and these will make amazing accents without breaking my budget!

# 8 July 2012 at 9:13 pm