I met Sophie, the incredibly talented designer behind Sophie Monet jewelry, last year while in New York and we instantly bonded over a love of all things DIY. Soph handmakes the gorgeous pieces under her label, painstakingly sculpting them out of wood, and adding stone, chain brass and gold leafing, skills she picked up while growing up in her dad’s woodworking shop (fyi, I have a little studio envy right now). The mix of sanded dark wood, precious stones and hints of gold are a nod to her love of art and nature and her experiences living between LA and New York. I was lucky enough to get to browse through her pieces in person when we had some downtime at our hotel and was blown away by her gilded collection, handshaped wood pieces with accents of gold leaf made into the most unique necklaces, rings and bracelets – the sort of jewelry you can imagine wearing everyday.
Gold leafing is a technique I’ve been forever wanting to try and when Soph offered to give me a masterclass, I knew it was something I would be sharing with you guys. What I love most about this project is that once you have the process down you can apply gold leafing to virtually anything – I sooo want to do it to the inside of a white porcelain bowl. Soph recommends that you don’t skimp too much when you buy your gold leaf, she used 22k yellow gold leaf (not the fake stuff) which is essential for the look and feel of the finished product.
You need:
- a popsicle stick or wood bead
- gold leaf adhesive
- gold leafing sheet
- clear wood finish
- drill
- paint brush
- scissors
- sandpaper
- chain
- clasp
- jump rings
- pliers
1. Start by cutting both ends of your popsicle stick so you are left with a wooden pendant shape.
2. Sand the edges of the pendant so they are smooth.
3. Place the pendant on a block of wood and drill a hole in one end.
4. Spray the pendant with wood finishing spray as a base coat.
5. Use a paint brush to add a thin coat of gold leaf adhesive. Let adhesive dry for 20 minutes. The wood will become sticky.
6. Carefully lay the gold leaf paper on top of the wood pendant.
7. Press down to make sure the wood is completely covered and there aren’t any air bubbles.
8. Carefully peel back the paper.
use a dry paint brush to remove any excess gold leaf.
9. Spray Gold pendant with at least 3 coats of clear wood finish.Be sure to let each coat fully dry before applying another.
10.Ā Attach your gilded pendant to chain using an open jump ring and pair of pliers.
11. Use two jump rings and pliers to attach your clasp and chain to one another.
And you’re done!
Ps. I’m loving the brass cuffs with wooden accents that Soph is wearing in these pics, hoping to get my hands on some of those once they’re released!Ā you can find them here and here.
[…] Source: https://apairandasparediy.com/2013/03/diy-gold-leaf-pendant-necklace.html […]
OMG this is awesome! and it looks so delicate š
I know right?
Veeeeery cool and creative! A bit sensitive maybe but hey, easy to make more š
Always such perfect ideas dear!
xoxoxo
My thoughts exactly xx
Looks so pretty. DonĀ“t know if I have enough skills for that š
GIVEAWAY ON MY BLOG
xx
glamdevils
You definitely do! š
that is soo cool. I love diy pendants.I wish I was that talented:)
do visit my blog:)
http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4110705/gulaabi-girl
You could so do it! xx
Oh i can’t believe i have only just found you blog! This is so exciting, i am loving what you do……can’t wait to pass it on if that’s ok with you (gosh that rymed)!!
thanks
Helen x
Hahaha you’re so sweet helen. So glad you are enjoying it!
Lovely and so simple! Great DIY š xx
http://www.creativityandchocolate.com
Thanks! š
Love it!!
xxx
Naomi
http://www.bonnieclydemarni.com
Wow! This is amazing I’m going to give this a try.
Lotts x
http://lottsandlots.blogspot.co.uk/
Would love to see it if you do š
This is my dream – to just hang out in my studio making pretty things!! So jealous.
ā„ Paula Shoe Fiend.
http://shoe-fiend.blogspot.co.uk/
Mine too! Soph is so lucky. x
tou make DIY seem sooooooo easy!
i love this DIY project; it could be an ideal present to give to a friend x
http://www.thatgoodgirlchi.blogspot.co.uk
Couldn’t agree more.
One of my favourites that you’ve done! And I’m also planning on doing it inside some white bowls at some point in my life!
http://www.rhiannoneyre.blogspot.co.uk
Such a good idea, lets do it!
so pretty!
http://www.styleandshades.blogspot.com
Thanks Rhoda!
luvly diy
xoxo
http://colour3d-vogu3.blogspot.com/
Hi hi , great diy !
http://www.facebook.com/GloriaAgostina
http://www.gloria-agostina.com
Thanks Anna, glad you like it as much as I do!
this is a wonderful idea. LOVE IT!
Thank you, Soph did a great job!
This looks brilliant!
Lauren
livinginaboxx
I know right?
wow this is amazing!
http://iamturquoise.com
Yes, perfect timing! I just bought some gold leaf for another project, will be making this as well š thanks for the inspiration!
Sounds great, can’t wait to see! xx
Yay for gold leaf!
you put so much effort into your diy’s! you’re doing great! keep it up!
Thanks, trying to get lots of different techniques up for you to try š
Gold leafing is the best. nice to see its not just fort scrapbooking and the like.
oui oui!
I want to do this to a picture frame
Thanks for introducing me to sophie, her stuff is lovely!
my mum does gold leafing on bowls, didn’t realise it could be this nice
Damn, so freaking amazing!
http://catsandphotos.blogspot.com/
Lovely idea!
We think it would be perfect with a turquoise maxi skirt and a white sheer shirt!
Or with high waisted shorts and a black top!
Giu&Si
tolle idee!
sieht schƶn aus!
xoxo milla
http://blondhairpinkheart.blogspot.co.at/
New devoted follower thanks to this post š – the design is so simple and cool, can’t believe you make it look so easy! I’d love to try this in a mix of solid gold leaf, and other colours..! x
thanks for the tutorial! the finished piece is simply beautiful, understated and delicate… would you please share the size of the chain used (mm)?
This looks gorgeous! I love gold leaf, would love to give this a go x Great post!
FREE WATERCOLOUR PORTRAIT GIVEAWAY ON MY BLOG
http://blondieslens.blogspot.com
Isabel Rose
xxx
Love!
http://oppositelipstick.blogspot.be/
Very nice š
The end result looks amazing!
well done. love it!!!
Such an awesome tutorial. So pretty!
[…] Would you believe me if I told you that this necklace was made out of aĀ PopsicleĀ stick? It’s true! Learn how to make it on A Pair + A Spare! […]
Brass tarnishes over time, but here are some great tips to make it look as nice as gold and stand the test of time!
http://lateefaccessories.blogspot.com/2013/07/care-for-your-brass.html
It’s absolutely beautiful! Definitely on my To Do list.
[…] And something else in gold leaf, a wooden pendant tutorial. […]